Selah

Commentary by Jack Kelley

Last week’s question on whether homosexual believers will be taken in the Rapture or not has really sparked some interesting, even emotional comment.

As we begin this study, let’s clarify a few points. Living a homosexual lifestyle is living in sin. Both Old and New Testaments make that clear. But all believers are sinners, and we’re all living in sin of some kind. Read Post »

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

From the eMail I’ve received this week, it’s obvious that healing is a Biblical subject of singular importance and diverse understanding. It’s clear to me that many have formed their opinions from either hearsay or personal observation rather than God’s word.

After years and years of studying what the Bible says about healing it seems to me that while Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and while He said that anyone with faith would do the things He did (John 14:12) the results we’re experiencing in the Western Church today are far different than those described in the Bible. A logical mind can only conclude that something has changed and since it’s not Him, that leaves only us. Read Post »

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

(This is an update of an article I first published in 1999.  I’ve received several eMails lately questioning the views I expressed in my study entitled “O You Of Little Faith.”  In each of them a misinterpretation of Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was used to support the theory that God sometimes refuses to heal us when we ask.   Sadly, this misinterpretation is all too common among Christians today.  I’ve updated and expanded the article and offer it in response to these questions.  Be blessed.) Read Post »

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

Store Up Treasure In Heaven

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ( Luke 12:32-34)

According to a government analysis, the retirement accounts (like pension funds and 401k’s) of working Americans have lost more than $2 trillion in the past 15 months, half of it in the last 3 months. That means the average American family has just lost nearly 25% of its retirement fund, and we’re being cautioned that the end is not yet in sight. Read Post »

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

Increase Our Faith

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith. (Mark 6:1-6) Read Post »

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

Seek His Kingdom

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Haggai: “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what the law says: If a person carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, oil or other food, does it become consecrated?’ ” The priests answered, “No.”

Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?”

“Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.” Then Haggai said, ” ‘So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,’ declares the LORD. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled. Read Post »

Last Week’s Featured Article by Jack Kelley

Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:2-6)

From our study on whether the Church was foretold by the Prophets of Israel, the obvious question left unanswered was, “What did Paul mean when he said it was a mystery that was not made known to men in other generations?” Read Post »

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

There is a view among some Christians that the Church was never foreseen by the prophets of Israel. Those who teach this view claim that since Paul called the Church a mystery that was not made known to men in other generations (Ephes. 3:2-6) there couldn’t have been any prophecy about it, since prophecy is the opposite of mystery. Read Post »

Part One of a Two Part Bible Study by Jack Kelley

If you’ve been visiting this site for any length of time at all you know I believe that once we’re saved we’re saved forever. I base this belief on a number of verses that say so in no uncertain terms.

But as I study the conditions on Earth just before the Second Coming, I can find no such assurance for those who become believers during the time of the Great Tribulation. Read Post »

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

In this study, we’re going to deal with a new definition that’s coming into the Christian lexicon. The word being re-defined is overcomer and the new definition is that an overcomer is someone who lives a Christ-like life, as opposed to just talking about it. They have died to self and now live a life that’s holy and blameless. Read Post »