Opposition to the Gospel message

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Opposition to the Gospel message, the JAMB Christian Religious Studies syllabus expects you to study:

• 18. Opposition to the Gospel message
• (a) The arrest and imprisonment of Peter and John (Acts 3; 4:1-22; 5:17-42 12:1-24)
• (b) The martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 6:8-15; 7)
• (c) Persecution by Saul (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2 cf. Gal. 1:11-17)
• (d) Persecution of Paul (Acts 16:11-40;
• 19:23- 41;21:27-36 cf 2 Cor:11:23-33)

Study notes & guidance

Study Opposition to the Gospel message using a recommended Christian Religious Studies textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Christian Religious Studies, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Opposition to the Gospel message, you should be able to:

1. (i) trace the story of the arrest and imprisonment of Peter and John; (ii) trace the events that led to the martyrdom of Stephen; (iii) describe the role of Saul in the persecution of the Church; (iv) evaluate the importance of persecution to the growth of the Church. (v) account for the persecution of Paul.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Christian Religious Studies syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.