A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

Along with Hebrews 6, the chapter we’re about to study is a favorite of the conditional security folks, even though within the chapter itself the writer clearly asserts that by His one sacrifice, the Lord has made us perfect forever.

Levitical priests were sinners themselves and had to keep offering sacrifices day after day and year after year, and then they died and another one took their place to do the same thing all over again. We need a high priest who isn't a sinner, who only needs to offer one sacrifice, who lives forever and can save us forever.

Having made reference to Jesus as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, (Hebr. 5:10 & 6:26) the author now explains how this connection came to be and why His priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood of the Old Covenant. Think of chapter 7 as a commentary on Genesis 14.

We've come to the place in our study of Hebrews that's familiar even to those who haven't read any other part of the letter. Did the writer intend to warn us that our salvation is subject to loss? And even more frightening, did he say that once lost it could never be regained?

In our last installment we learned that because the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land by faith, God declared that they would never enter His rest. We begin this one by learning the spiritual meaning behind the weekly Sabbath.

In our last study we saw the author give proof that Jesus is as superior to the angels as His name is to theirs. The Son of God is the exact representation of His being, His prophet for the Last Days, the sole provider of our purification. Now we'll see that in the process He descended lower than the angels for a little while to become a man in order to save mankind.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

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,

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

I’ve received several variations of the question in the title of this study, so I assume it’s on the minds of many more. Here’s a representative question and my response.

In part one of our study of the Book of Haggai, we learned that before the Israelites could live an abundant life upon returning from Babylon, they had to first complete the Lord's Temple. As New Testament believers we're told that we're the Temple of God. Does the same principle hold true for us concerning our abundant life? Let's find out.