Epiphany Sunday Quiz

1. What is the Epiphany holiday?

Epiphany (Koine Greek: ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia, “manifestation”, “striking appearance”)[1] or Theophany[2] (Ancient Greek (ἡ) Θεοφάνεια, Τheophaneia meaning “vision of God”),[3] which traditionally falls on January 6, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. Western Christians commemorate principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Baby Jesus, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God.[4]

2. How many wise men?

It is unknown how many wise men came to see Jesus. Scripture does no indicate the number who followed the star.

3. What does the word Magi mean?

Perhaps astrologer, but could also mean priest.

4. How many gifts did the wise men bring to Jesus?

Three. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

5. How did God warn the magi to flee Herod?

A: Telephone B: Text C. In a Dream

C. In a dream.

Matthew 2:12 “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they (the Magi) left for their own country by another road.”

6. Where did the Magi stop before visiting Jesus?

Jerusalem. Matthew 2:1 -2; “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

7. What was the profession of the Magi?

Astrologers

8. How did the Magi locate Jesus?

A: GPS B: Star C: Wandered aimlessly around until they saw him?

B. Star

Matthew 2:2 “For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

Matthew 2:9 9 “When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.”

9. Which direction did the Magi come from?

A: East B: West C: Southwest

A: East

Matthew 2:1 “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men (Magi) from the East came to Jerusalem,

10. Which is not a gift from the wise men?

A: Gold B: Myrrh C: Silver

C: Silver

Matthew 2:11 “Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Take this Epiphany Quiz and come back on Epiphany (January 6, 2014) to learn the answers

1. What is the Epiphany holiday?

2. How many wise men?

3. What does the word Magi mean?

4. How many gifts did the wise men bring to Jesus?

5. How did God warn the Magi to flee Herod?

                 A: Telephone          B: Text               C. In a Dream

6. Where did the Magi stop before visiting Jesus?

7. What was the profession of the Magi?

8. How did the Magi locate Jesus?

                      A: GPS              B: Star                              C: Wandered aimlessly around until they saw him?

9. Which direction did the Magi come from?

                      A: East             B: West                 C: Southwest

10. Which is not a gift from the wise men?

                         A: Gold                 B: Myrrh              C: Silver

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

(1 Corinthians 14:1).

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I was reading 1 Corinthians 13 this morning regarding love and continued reading into chapter 14.  In Chapter 14, Paul urges us to “pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts”, and especially the gift of prophesy (v. 1).  We will see that love is not listed as a spiritual gift but as the “more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31). 

Paul urges us to strive for the gift of prophecy above any other spiritual gift.  Some will deem speaking in tongues as the greatest indication of our faith in Christ, but Paul says otherwise.  Others claim prophecy is predicting the future, condemning others, or understanding the end times.  We like to think the role of Hebrew prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel was to condemn Israel for its sins.  While calling them to accountability for breaking their covenant with God was part of the prophetic ministry, the prophets ultimately sought to “build up” their people by “rejoicing in the truth” and “enduring all things” (1 Cor. 13:6-7).

Paul says one who prophecies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues.  Prophecy according to Paul is the greatest spiritual gift because it is directed to others for their “upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” and “builds up the church” (1 Cor. 14:3-4). 

 Prophecy is directly connected to love.  Paul urges anyone who claims to be a prophet to acknowledge this (1 Cor. 14:37).  Whatever we do, let it be done in love for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:26).

Questions to Consider:

1. What is your spiritual gift.

2. How can you act out love through your spiritual gifts?

3. If you are a pastor/preacher, do you speak/prophesy in a such a way to “build up the church?”

Read: 1 Corinthians 12-14. 

-What do these chapters teach us about the connection between spiritual gifts and love?

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,

and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

(1 Corinthians 13:2)