======================================================================== CHRISTIAN TREASURY VOLUME 1 by Unknown ======================================================================== A collection of articles and writings from Christian Treasury Volume 1, covering various biblical topics and Christian teaching. Chapters: 6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0. Christian Treasury Volume 1 1. Bible Challenger 2. A More Excellent Way - 1 Corinthians 13 3. Questions and Answers Ques 4. Question and Answers 5. Questions and Answers ======================================================================== CHAPTER 0: CHRISTIAN TREASURY VOLUME 1 ======================================================================== ======================================================================== CHAPTER 1: BIBLE CHALLENGER ======================================================================== The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word that describes a secondary characteristic of heavenly wisdom. 1. The city where a duet was sung at a late hour. 2. The place where a refreshing oasis was found having much water and shade. 3. The city from which a rich man came who was not ashamed to beg. 4. The city where Jesus performed His first miracle. 5. The city where a great cry was made to protest the entry of a hallowed object. 6. The city where there was considerable interest in something new. 7. The tittle city where wise men made diligent search for a young child. 8. One of the cities on Epaphras' prayer list. 9. The heathen city that was a worshiper of a great goddess. Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman {SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger 1. Ram's horns. Josh. 6:5 2. Urim. 1 Sam. 28:6 3. Dial. 2 Kings 20:11 4. Idol. 1 Cor. 8:4 5. Mantic. 2 Kings 2:8.14 6. Ear. Psa. 94:9, John 18:26 7. Napkin. Luke 19:20 8. Throne. 1 Kings 10:18-20 9. Sackcloth. Jonah 3:4,8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the RUDIMENTS of the world, and not after Christ." Col. 2:8. Bible Challenger The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word which describes to what our every thought should be held captive. 1. Whose house was blessed because the ark of God rested there? 2. Who thought his advanced age would be a burden to a king on his return from exile? 3. Who was the left-handed judge who delivered Israel from an oppressive king? 4. Who was astonished for one hour at the interpretation of a dream? 5. Who was horn at the time the ark of God was captured by the Philistines? 6. Who said, "I am young but ye are very old?” 7. Who was the Israelite in whom was no guile? 8. Who was the first-born among men? 9. Who mocked 450 men at noon? Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman {SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger 1. Martha, Martha, thou art... troubled about many things Luke 10:41 2. Unbelief Heb. 3:12 3. Laid them on beds and couches Acts 5:15 4. Take a lump of figs 2 Kings 20:7 5. If Thou be the Son of God Matt. 4:3 6. Teach me Thy way. O Lord Psa. 27:11 7. Unfeigned faith 2 Tim. 1:5 8. Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole Mark 5:34 9. Enter not into the path of the wicked Prov. 4:14 10. Showers of blessing Ezek. 34:26 “MULTITUDES, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision." Joel 3:14 Bible Challenger The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word which describes the degree of mercy found in God toward those who call upon Him. 1. Six times the friend of God used this word in his entreaty for relatives in a wicked city. 2. A reproof given to those who sought the Lord only because a miracle satisfied their hunger. 3. What a widow was told to borrow because she had not anything in the house. 4. The command of a king to see who was responsible for making the enemy melt away. 5. Advice of a king to some of his servants who were greatly ashamed of their beards. 6. What we are to do daily because of the deceitfulness of sin. 7. Parting words of a traveling nobleman to his 10 servants. 8. Mournful cry of someone having a dreadful disease. 9. Something belonging unto the Lord for blessing of His people. Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman {SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger 1. Wash me, and 3 shall be whiter than snow Psa. 51:7 2. Honor all men Honor the king 1 Peter 2:17 3. Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem 2 Sam. 23:15 4. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found Isa. 55:6 5. One thing thou lackest Mark 10:21 6. Early in the morning Gen. 22:3 7. Very early in the morning Luke 24:1 8. Except ye he converted, and become as little Children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven Matt. 18:3 9. Rejoice in the Lord always Phil. 4:4 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17 Bible Challenger The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word applied to some aspect of the world, against which Christians should ever be on their guard. 1. Something instrumental in flattening an imposing barrier. 2. Something a desperate king used in vain in seeking a message from the Lord. 3. Something that showed a reversal to encourage a doubting king. 4. Something having a physical shape that can be reckoned as nothing. 5. Something used by two prophets to keep from getting wet. 6. Something God planted and Peter cut off. 7. Something used by a wicked servant to store his lord's money. 8. Something Solomon made having 6 steps and 24 lions. 9. Something a king commanded man and beast to wear after hearing an 8 word proclamation. Answers to these questions will he found in next month’s issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman. {SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger 1. Peradventure. Gen. 18:24, 28-32. 2. Labor not for the meat that perisheth. John 6:27 3. Empty vessels; borrow not a few. 2 Kings 4:3 4. Number now, and see who is gone from us. 1 Sam. 14:17 5. Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown. 2 Sam. 10:5 6. Exhort one another daily. Heb. 3:13. 7. Occupy till I come. Luke 19:13. 8. Unclean, unclean. Lev. 13:45. 9. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord. Psa. 3:8. “For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and PLENTEOUS in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee." Psa. 86:5 Bible Challenger The First letter of each of the following responses will form the word describing something great which many neglect to their destruction. 1. What negative words did a lame man hear that did not prevent physical blessing? 2. What is the exhortation to those whose evil ways have corrupted that which is good? 3. What command was given to one whose boat was used as a podium? 4. What twice-repeated phrase is made by one who called himself the preacher? 5. What simple truth declares man's equality and deficiency in God's sight? 6. What command was made at a time of wrestling that was not answered? 7. What words were spoken to comfort those who were troubled by what they saw during a storm on the sea? 8. A sobering prediction causing sorrow to those who were eating together for the last time. 9. The answer given for failure to apprehend the one in whom was no fault. Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman {SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger 1. Philippi. Acts 16:12, 25 2. Elim. Ex. 15:27 3. Arimathea. Matt. 27:57, 58 4. Cana. John 2:11 5. Ekron. 1 Samuel 15:10 6. Athens. Acts 17:21, 22 7. Bethlehem. Matt. 2:8 8. Laodicea. Col. 4:12,13 9. Ephesus. Acts 19:35 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then PEACEABLE, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:17 Bible Challenger The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word describing those who are seen in the valley of decision as the day of the Lord approaches. 1. A rebuke to someone who thought service of more value than communion. 2. That which characterizes an evil heart. 3. What many did with their sick folk to await a healing shadow. 4. An unusual: prescription for a royal patient. 5. The tempter's challenge to One who had fasted 40 days and 40 nights. 6. A timely prayer for anyone desiring to be led of the Lord. 7. What did Paul see in the life of Timothy that was present also in two of his forebears? 8. A message of comfort to someone who reached out with a touch of faith. 9. Good advice for those who might be tempted to follow evil men. 10. A millennial outpouring resulting in the earth yielding her increase. Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman {SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger 1. Silver and gold have I none. Acts 3:6 2. Awake to righteousness, and sin not. 1 Cor. 15:34 3. Launch out into the deep. Luke 5:4 4. Vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Eccl. 1:2; 12:8 5. All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23 6. Tell me... thy name. Gen. 32:29 7. It is I; be not afraid. John 6:20 8. One of you which eateth with Me shall betray Me. Mark 14:18 9. Never man spake like this Man. John 7:46 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great SALVATION; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him." Heb. 2:3 ======================================================================== CHAPTER 2: A MORE EXCELLENT WAY - 1 CORINTHIANS 13 ======================================================================== {R}1CO 13{/R}"And yet show I unto you a more excellent way," the Apostle Paul wrote, a way in which the Spirit of God can be manifested even though we might not possess great gifts. There is a manner in which you and I can be a living witness for Christ to those with whom we are brought into association from day to day. We can be a channel through which the Spirit of God can magnify Christ in His members. When we come to examine it, we find that it is this divine love. It has often been remarked how inexplicable it seems that the Apostle Paul should interrupt himself here, because the actual subject seems to skip the thirteenth chapter. He passes from the end of the twelfth, where he is considering the gifts, to this subject of love which comes before him. In a way this seems like an interruption. Yet the more we examine it, the more we are brought to the conclusion that not only is the interruption opportune, but it is divine. He shows immediately that if all the most wonderful gifts could be comprised in one gathering, they would be absolutely unprofitable unless they were exercised in this divine way. We can only learn it in communion with Christ. As we walk in communion with the Head of His body, we get His mind concerning His saints, His affections for His people and the thoughts of His heart at the very time when the saints need it. In this way we can be as those who are a witness for Christ, as "an oracle of God," as though God did beseech and utter His word by us. He begins with that gift which we consider the greatest, that of speaking. We magnify this gift all out of proportion, whether it may be of teaching, preaching or evangelizing. That gift, being one which comes more often before us, we have elevated into a position far too high in the economy of God, to what is needful and what is profitable. He begins, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." 1 Cor. 13:1. I am afraid we have had to find that out. We have to own that a great many, perhaps most of the gifts that God has given to His Church, are scattered at large in this day of weakness and ruin. God has greatly endowed many as preachers and teachers, and yet how often we are conscious of what the Apostle describes here as emptiness and sounding brass. There seems to be a lack of ministry of Christ in such a way as to meet the needs of God's people. It is sad that it should be so, and yet we need to be reminded of it, and also we have to be very careful that the utterances of our mouths would be acceptable in His sight. How often we have to feel and judge ourselves that an utterance to which we have given expression at some meeting or other was mere knowledge. We have not confidently and consciously had contact with the living Head, so that we spoke with assurance as having a word from Him. Let us look to it that what we speak, we get from Christ our Head. He has given us a perfect example of this in John 12:50, "Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak.” The Apostle says if he speak but five words in the power of divine love, and it is for the edification of the saints, he esteems it more than ten thousand words, though they might be the voice of greatest knowledge and eloquence. We have to be on our guard against that also. One of the characteristics of the last days is that men would have "itching ears." 2 Tim. 4:3. We are easily tainted with the same thing, We are unwilling to hear a person who desires to speak out of real love of heart for Christ. We naturally prefer something which pleases us. The Apostle says we must beware lest it be "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." F. Lavington Bible Challenger The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word which gives confidence to every believer when afflictions come into their lives. 1. The conclusion of a wise man when contemplating the duty of everyone under the sun. 2. The Christian's proper attitude towards those things which are contrary to God's holy nature. 3. Something the Lord Jesus says of Himself referring to the Greek alphabet. 4. What everyone might well do in response to the Lord's deeds among His people. 5. What the Lord Jesus taught His disciples as to properly addressing the Father in prayer. 6. The first step in receiving an important, free gift. 7. A question asked in the chariot of someone visiting Jerusalem. 8. A disciples three-word prayer that was answered immediately. 9. A word describing the path that few seemingly desire to find. 10. An agricultural truth used to illustrate the blessing from the cross of Christ. 11. A lesson on seasoning. 12. A strange command by an army captain to gain extra time. Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury. {SH/}Answers to Lust Month's Bible Challenger 1. Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos 4:12 2. Remember now thy Creator. Eccl. 12:1 3. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matt. 25:21 4. Shibboleth. Judg. 12:6 5. Underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33:27 6. My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor. 12:9 7. Put up again thy sword into his place. Matt. 26:52 8. Take up his cross, and follow Me. Matt. 16:24 9. Up make us gods, which shall go before us. Ex. 32:1 10. One thing have I desired of the Lord. Psa. 27:4 11. Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. 6:14 12. Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die. 2 Kings 20:1 “Keep back thy servant also from PRESUMPTUOUS sins: let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." Psa. 19:13. R. Erisman Bible Challenger The first letters of each of the following responses will form the name of someone the Apostle Paul greatly valued because he was not ashamed of the Apostle's chain. 1. What was Herod making just before he died an untimely death? 2. What weapon did Jael use against an enemy of Israel? 3. What was the country over which Candace reigned? 4. What group of people say there is no resurrection? 5. What were the Corinthians saying that the Apostle Paul censured them for? 6. What wage did a householder agree to pay his laborers? 7. What proved more effective in battle for Joshua than the sword? 8. Who was David's grandfather? 9. What is as the sin of witchcraft? 10. What characterizes the judgments of God? 11. What was the Lord's promise to Noah while the earth remaineth? Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury. {SH/}Last Month's Answers to the Bible Challenger 1. Caleb (Josh. 14:10) 2. Hagar (Gen. 16:13) 3. Abigail (1 Sam. 25:29) 4. Lazarus (John 11:43) 5. Demas (2 Tim. 4:10) 6. Epaphras (Col. 4:12) 7. Absalom (2 Sam. 15:6) 8. Nun (Josh. 1:1) 9. Sanballat (Neh. 4:1) “Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness. O daughter of the CHALDEANS: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms." Isa. 47:5. R. Erisman Bible Challenger The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word describing the type of sins David prayed that he would be kept from. 1. An urgent message to Israel from the prophet Amos. 2. A message to all in the days of youth. 3. A message of acceptance to a faithful servant. 4. A word that separated friend from foe. 5. What makes the eternal God a refuge. 6. The answer to a thrice-repeated request. 7. A rebuke for a flailing sword user. 8. A somber instruction in the art of following. 9. A revolting people's request of their leader's brother. 10. The great single desire of David. 11. How long should the good fight of faith continue? 12. An Unwelcome message for a great king from the prophet Isaiah. Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury. {SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger 1. Depart from Me. Luke 13:27 2. Escape for thy life. Gen. 19:17 3. Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Acts 7:60 4. I being in the way, the Lord led me. Gen. 24:27 5. Gather up the fragments that remain. John 6:12 6. He such a one I turn aside. Ruth 4:1 7. Take now thy son, thine only son. Gen. 22:2 8. Speak; for thy servant heareth. 1 Sam. 3:10 9. Open the window eastward. 2 Kings 13:17 10. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:7 11. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving. Psa. 100:4 “And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a DELIGHTSOME land, saint the Lord of hosts." Mal. 3:12. R. Erisman Bible Challenger The first letters of each of the following responses will form the word Scripture uses to describe the land of Israel in the millennium. 1. A sad message to some who will knock at the door of heaven. 2. An urgent message to four people before the destruction of their city. 3. A dying man's request concerning his tormentors. 4. The response of a servant on being led to the house of his master's brethren. 5. The Lord's command to His disciples after many had dined on barley loaves and fishes. 6. What a mighty man said to a kinsman in the gate of a city. 7. A command to an aged father concerning his only son. 8. What a young lad said in the dark of night when his name was called out. 9. A prophet's command to a nervous king with bow and arrows in his hand. 10. A comment to a ruler of the Jews who had thought the way of salvation was a strange process. 11. A message to any who would praise the Lord acceptably. Answers to these questions will be found in the next month's issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman {SH/}Last Month's Answers to the Bible Challenger Oration (Acts 12:21) Nail (Judg. 4:21) Ethiopia (Acts 8:27) Sadducees (Acts 23:8) I am of Paul (1 Cor. 1:12) Penny a day (Matt. 20:2) Hailstones (Josh. 10:11) Obed (Ruth 4:17) Rebellion (1 Sam. 15:23) Unsearchable (Rom. 11:33) Seedtime and harvest (Gen. 8:22) “The Lord give mercy unto the house of ONESIPHORUS; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain." 2 Tim. 1:16 Bible Challenger The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word proclaiming the universality of God's invitation to thirsty souls. 1. A plea from someone feeling the need of cleansing from the defilement of sin. 2. The Christian's proper attitude for men and royalty. 3. David's heartfelt utterance prompting a heroic escapade by three mighty men. 4. Important counsel for those desiring a personal relationship with the Lord in a time of availability. 5. A sad message to someone having great possessions. 6. The time of departure of a father and son for the land of Moriah. 7. The time of arrival of certain women bearing spices at a garden. 8. The answer to the question: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 9. A command to those who have found joy in the Lord. Answers to these questions will be found in the next months's issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman {SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger 1. Fear God, and keep His commandments. Eccl. 12:13 2. Abhor that which is evil. Rom. 12:9 3. I am Alpha and Omega. Rev. 1:8 4. Talk ye of all His wondrous works. Psa. 105:2 5. Hallowed be Thy name. Matt. 6:9 6. Faith cometh by hearing. Rom. 10:17 7. Understandest thou what thou readest? Acts 8:30 8. Lord, save me. Matt. 14:30 9. Narrow is the way. Matt. 7:14 10. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground. John 12:24 11. Salt is good. Luke 14:34 12. Sun, stand thou still. Josh. 10:12 “I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in FAITHFULNESS hast afflicted me." Psa. 119:75. E. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 3: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS QUES ======================================================================== Ques. 1. is it scriptural for Christians to celebrate Christmas and Easter? 2. If so, why? If not, why not? Ans. These two questions are answered together. The word translated Easter in Acts 12:4 should be passover. Correctly, in Scripture neither Easter nor Christmas is mentioned. In this day of grace we are told to "stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." Gal. 5:1. The observance of days and months and times and years is called "weak and beggarly elements" in Gal. 4:9 and 10, and the Christian should not be in such bondage. Historically, the origin of Christmas is pagan. Ques. 3. Why did Christ in Luke 18:19 say, "None is good, save one, that is, God," whereas we know that Christ is the only sinless and perfect man that ever trod the earth? Ans. Yes, Christ is the only sinless and perfect man and also He is God. Psa. 119:68 says, "Thou art good, and doest good." "The Lord is good.” Nah. 1:7. No mere man was or is good. "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Psa. 14:2, 3. Ques. 4. How do we reconcile Ex. 33:20-23, where it is stated that "there shall no man see Me [God] and live" with the following passages of Scripture? Gen. 32:30; Ex. 33:11; Deut. 5:4. Ans. We do not reconcile Scripture but, rather, seek God's teaching from it. First, we notice that in Ex. 33:20 it says, "Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live." John 1:18 tells us, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." Christ is the Revealer of the Godhead. In Gen. 32:24 it says, "there wrestled a man" with Jacob. It was the Lord Jehovah (who is Christ) revealing God in that way to Jacob and so in Ex. 33:11 and Deut. 5:4. Today Christ reveals the Father. God in His essential being and glory is never seen at any time. All the manifestations of God are in His Son. (1 Tim. 6:13-16.) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 4: QUESTION AND ANSWERS ======================================================================== Ques. Could you please explain what is meant in 1 Peter 3:21, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us"? Ans. Peter writes to his own people, Israelites who had been brought up under the law and then professed Christ. In preaching to them in Acts 2:38, 40, he says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.... Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” Through baptism they changed their position as being connected with the guilty nation who had crucified their Messiah to the new position in Christianity. Through baptism (which is a figure of death), they were saved from the judgment of the guilty nation. It is the same in 1 Peter 3 and Acts 2. Ed. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 5: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ======================================================================== QUES. How do you compare the two following scriptures? "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us," (Titus 3:5), and "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Phil. 2:12. ANS. There is more of a contrast than comparison between these two scriptures. In Titus, the being saved is what God our Savior has done in His mercy to us. It is a change of state or position and a new life given to us. In contrast, the passage in Philippians refers to the responsibility of the saints in Philippi (and to us Christians also) to go on daily in obedience to God's Word after Paul must leave them. This was for the salvation of their testimony and they must work it out in fear and trembling with no confidence in the flesh. Ed. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/books/christian-treasury-volume-1/ ========================================================================