Selah

Commentary by Jack Kelley

A recent poll claimed that about half of all professing Christians don’t believe that Jesus is God, or that the Holy Spirit and Satan even exist.  Smaller but still significant percentages don’t believe that Jesus lived a sin free life or that He is the only way to salvation.  This has prompted questions about whether this means they aren’t really saved.  I remembered an article on this subject that I wrote a number of years ago and in response to these questions I have updated and expanded it.  I believe it will explain what you have to believe about Jesus to be saved.  Let’s read it.

Read Post »

Commentary by Jack Kelley

On the night Jesus was born, the Parthians (remnant of Persia and forerunners of today’s Iran) and the Romans (forerunners of the End Times Kingdom of the anti-Christ) were at odds with each other. The Syrians didn’t like the Jews and had tried unsuccessfully to conquer them, their attempt having been thwarted by the Maccabean revolt. Israel’s sovereignty had all but vanished, and the nation’s very existence was in doubt. Their King didn’t have the country’s best interests at heart, and many questioned the legitimacy of his government. Read Post »

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

Judging from the feedback I’ve received lately, some of us don’t know what sin is. The word comes from an old English archery term meaning “to miss the mark.” Jesus gave us the mark in Matt. 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Anything short of that is missing the mark, and whether by thought, word, or deed, is sin. The main purpose of His three chapter Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) was to change our perception of sin. Read Post »

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. (Hebr. 6:4-6)

Gracethrufaith.com has experienced remarkable growth since we inaugurated our “Ask A Bible Teacher” feature 2 ½ years ago . In addition, a number of other sites now include our weekly articles as part of their regular offering to their readers. Many of you originally came to us from these other sites.

As a result, we’re continually getting new readers who have questions similar to those previously asked by those who’ve been with us a longer time. A prime example is the barrage of questions I’ve received lately about Hebrews 6:4-6, Read Post »

Commentary by Jack Kelley

(This article was originally published in November of 2005 when the controversy over the Christmas season was first heating up.  It’s even more relevant today. I’ve expanded and updated it for this holiday season.)

For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.” (Jeremiah 10:3-4)

A friend once observed that when you see the Christmas decorations begin to go up on Main Street, you know that Thanksgiving must be near. That’s because in the US, Thanksgiving weekend officially kicks off the Christmas season. Special school programs, parties, shopping, all the things Christmas has become these days begin in earnest on the day after Thanksgiving. Read Post »

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 »

Last Week’s Feature Article 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 »