Word Association -- New Testament Characters #7 Quiz

Answer: Onesiphorus

Onesiphorus is the correct answer. According to the Web site Christiananswers.net, Onesiphorus means 'bringing profit'.

It's apparent Onesiphorus was extremely kind and loyal to Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. 2 Timothy 1:16-18, in the NKJV Bible, states: "The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day -- and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus."

In 2 Timothy 4:19, Paul mentions his friend once again, when he writes: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus."

Answer: Aristarchus

Aristarchus was a companion of Paul, as per Acts 19:29 and 27:2. What's more, Paul also states Aristarchus was his "fellow prisoner" at Rome, according to Colossians 4:10. Aristarchus was a native of Thessalonica, as per Acts 20:4.

According to the Web site Christiananswers.net, Aristarchus means 'best ruler'.

Answer: John the Baptist

Many Christians regard John the Baptist as the last of the Old Testament prophets because he told the people to prepare for the arrival of the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world", as per John 12:29.

In the NKJV Bible, in Mark 1:1-5, John is introduced this way: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight'. John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins."

Answer: Philip

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: Malchus

According to Scripture, Malchus had his cut off by a sword wielded by the Peter, one of the Twelve Disciples. The account of Malchus having his ear severed can be found in Matthew 26:51, Mark 14:7, Luke 22:50 and John 18:10. I find it highly fascinating that Luke, the physician, is the only one to report about the healing of Malchus' severed ear. John 18:26 tells of one of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had severed, questioning the disciple about being with Jesus. Peter denied the man's claims and Scripture reports the rooster crowed, just like Jesus had predicted.

Answer: Apollos

According to Scripture, Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos, a worker in the early church, under their wings and provided instruction. Acts 18:24-26, in the NIV Bible, states: "Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.

He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately." Verses 27 and 28 state Apollos later went to Achaia and he was "a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ."

Answer: Matthew

Levi was also known as Matthew. Tradition has it he is the same Matthew that wrote the first Gospel that bears the same name. According to Mark 2:14, Levi was the son of Alphaeus. The Web site Christiananswers.net states Matthew was a common name after the exile. Before becoming a disciple, he was a tax collector, as per Matthew 9:9.

Answer: Zechariah

Scripture states Zechariah was a priest who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah and his wife was also a descendant of Aaron, as per Luke 1:5. Luke 1:11-25 tells of the angel Gabriel appearing before Zechariah and telling him of the upcoming birth of their son, who would become John the Baptist.

When Zechariah doubted Gabriel's claims, he was rendered speechless as per Luke 1:20. After the baby was born, Zechariah wrote on a tablet the infant was to be called John and according to verse 64 "immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God."

Answer: Herod

Herod is the correct answer. His death is recorded in Acts 12:21-23. We read in the NKJV Bible: "So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, 'The voice of a god and not of a man!' Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died."

Herod was a ruthless opponent of the early church and his death was seen as divine retribution. Notes in the NIV Study Bible state: "The historian Josephus describes a silver robe, dazzling bright that Herod wore that day. When people acclaimed him a god, he did not deny it. He was seized with violent pains, was carried out and died five days later."

Answer: Rhoda

Rhoda is the correct answer. She's the servant girl who went to answer the door after Peter's miraculous escape from prison and got so excited when she heard Peter's voice that she went to tell the other occupants he was at the door and left him knocking.

It's a good thing Peter was not being chased by would-be captors, as he would have been chopped liver having to stand at the door of the house trying to get in while Rhoda was busy telling everyone else the latest news. The story in Acts 12:12-16 almost smacks of a scene from a Hollywood sitcom.