Who Am I? New Testament Characters -- #4 Quiz

Answer: John

John, of course, is the correct answer. The book he wrote is none other than Revelation. The book has enthralled and perplexed readers for almost 2,000 years. The book is extremely difficult to understand, but an old country pastor I know has a great way of summing up what it's all about. He describes Revelation as a tale of two cities -- Babylon and the New Jerusalem.

Answer: John also called Mark

The correct answer is John also called Mark. No details are given in Scripture about Mark's desertion, but it's apparent Barnabas thought he deserved another chance to serve on a missionary journey and Paul felt differently. Acts 15:38 simply states Mark abandoned Paul in Pamphylia. Scripture reports Paul opted to take Silas with him and Barnabas and Mark headed off on their own to Cyprus.

It's interesting to note Mark would end up redeeming himself in Paul's eyes. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul tells Timothy to "get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry."

Answer: Ethiopian Eunuch

The Ethiopian Eunuch is the correct answer. The story of his conversion can be found in Acts 8:26-40. He was converted by Philip, one of the seven Grecian Jewish disciples, originally appointed to oversee the distribution of bread to widows in the community.

Some trivia about the eunuch. Acts 8:27 describes him as an "important official" as he was in charge of the treasury for Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. Philip encountered the Ethiopian while he was returning by chariot from Jerusalem where he had gone to worship. Immediately after the Ethiopian became a believer in Jesus Christ, Philip baptized him in water along the side of the road.

Answer: Luke

The correct answer is Luke. We know he was a doctor because in Colossians 4:14, Paul tells the believers in Colosse his "dear friend Luke, the doctor" as well as Demas send their greetings. Luke, of course, wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts. Two interesting tidbits about Luke and his writings in the Gospel that bears his name.

When he writes about the woman who was healed by simply touching Jesus' gown, he is the only Gospel writer who doesn't mention she wasted all her money on doctors. And when it comes to Peter severing Malchus' ear in the Garden of Gethsemane, Luke is the only one who writes about Jesus touching his ear and returning it to normal.

Answer: No name is given

No name is given for Peter's mother-in-law. In fact Scripture mentions the healing in only three verses. Mark 1:29-31, in the NIV Bible, states: "As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.

The fever left her and she began to wait on them."

Answer: Aquila

Aquila was a tent maker, an occupation shared by Paul, as per Acts 18:3. The two, of course, would go on to have much more in common than tent making. Aquila, along with his wife Priscilla, would play a key role in helping spread the Gospel in the early days of the church.

In Romans 16:4, Paul states Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for him and "all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful for them." However, no details are given as to what exactly Priscilla and Aquila did to risk their lives for Paul.

Answer: Simon the Leper

Simon the Leper lived in Bethany, a community just outside Jerusalem that is well known in the New Testament as the home of Lazarus and sisters Mary and Martha. Little is known about Simon the Leper, however. Lazarus, of course, was raised from the dead by Jesus, as per John 11:38-44.

Answer: Timothy

In addition to being young, Timothy was known for being timid. For example, in 1 Corinthians 16:10, Paul tells the believers in Corinth to make sure Timothy has nothing to fear, should he visit. Paul, on a number of occasions, describes, Timothy as his son. The last we read about Timothy is in Hebrews 13:23 and it tells of him being released from prison.

Answer: Felix

The correct answer is Felix, the Roman governor of Judea. The 24th chapter of Acts is devoted to the trial of Paul before Felix with charges against him levied by the high priest Ananias. Arguing the case on behalf of the high priest Ananias and some of the elders was a lawyer named Tertullus. Paul appeared to be scoring major points in the trial. Acts 24:25, in the NIV Bible states things this way: "As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'" In other words, it appears Felix was almost persuaded by Paul's argument in favor of a resurrected Christ.

It was all for naught, however, as Acts 24:27 sums up things this way: "When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison."

Acts 26:27-32 indicates King Agrippa was also giving serious consideration to Paul's message. Acts 26:28 in the KJV states: "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

Answer: Barabbas

The correct answer is Barabbas. It was the custom of the day to release a prisoner at the time of the Passover and Pilate thought it would be a wise move to release Jesus, as per Mark 15:6-15. The crowd, however, shouted for the release of Barabbas, a prisoner cited for committing murder in an insurrection.

When Pilate asked the crowd what should be the fate of Jesus, Scripture reports they said to crucify him. Mark 15:12-15, in the NIV Bible, states: "'What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?'" Pilate asked them. 'Crucify him!' they shouted. 'Why? What crime has he committed?' asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, 'Crucify him!' Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." Matthew 27:16 describes Barabbas as a "notorious" prisoner.