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What is the clear defnition of Dead Works

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gerard_dsouza:

--- Quote ---13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13-14 AV)
--- End quote ---

Has Ray done a bible study on dead works and defined what is this dead works?

dave:
This is just my opinion, but if you need to ask that question, you have not read Ray's work and if you have not read Ray's work you need to. And if you need to ask that question you have done little in reading your own Bible. This is just my opinion. No offence intended.

gerard_dsouza:
Hi Micah,
Just to simply answer your question. Yes I have nearly gone though all of his audios and a read a number of articles posts and questions and answers. I also searched the articles topics briefly and could not find that topic. Maybe I missed it.

I have done some bible studies and overall I am not satisfied with the teachings I have heard on this. Some sample opinions which make no sense to me as to why this word dead is being used as an adjective before works.
1) Some define it as Sin and disobedience of the Law.
2) Some define it as works not done out of love
3) Some define it as works not done in faith
4) Some define it as works done prior to be a Christian
_________-

It looks like these are some works which are considered dead. Why are they dead works is what I am trying to understand. I am more interested to know whether Ray taught on this topic. Alternatively, I am open to others who can shed some light.


--- Quote ---13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13-14 AV)
--- End quote ---

It looks like its has something to do with to blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean. I am trying to understand the context.

The other scripture this word dead works shows up is:


--- Quote ---Heb 6: 6 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,  2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  3 And this we will[a] do if God permits.
--- End quote ---

It looks like this scripture also is talking about the same topic in my opinion.

Dave in Tenn:
Gerry, I don't mean to be flip, but the 'clear definition' of "dead works" may be:  Works that are dead. 

The question for life, I reckon, is:  Is this work dead or still alive?


To your question...I can't find any place where Ray specifically addresses the term, but I do think it's everywhere in his writing.

Nathan:

--- Quote ---Hi Micah,
Just to simply answer your question. Yes I have nearly gone though all of his audios and a major chunk of the articles. I also searched the articles topics briefly and could not find that topic. Maybe I missed it.

I have done some bible studies and overall I am not satisfied with the teachings I have heard on this. Some sample opinions which make no sense to me as to why this word dead is being used as an adjective before works.
1) Some define it as Sin and disobedience of the Law.
2) Some define it as works not done out of love
3) Some define it as works not done in faith
4) Some define it as works done prior to be a Christian
_________-

It looks like these are some works which are considered dead. Why are they dead works is what I am trying to understand.
Am I asking this question in wrong area. I am more interested to know whether ray taught on this topic.
--- End quote ---

Hi Gerry,

For starters, dead is being used as an adjective because it's describing the word works which is a plural noun and the Greek word it's translated from is nekros which is an adjective.

When looking at the definition of dead (adjective) combined with the usage of the phrase "dead works" in Scripture (used twice in the book of Hebrews), I think the meaning is clear.

DEAD: Deprived of life; destitute of life; useless; unproductive; bringing no gain; unprofitable; lacking spirit; bringing death (Webster's Dictionary)

Dead works are the works of the law and they are LACKING SPIRIT ("For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death"), UNPROFITABLE ("the flesh profits nothing"), BRINGING NO GAIN ("But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness"), BRINGING DEATH ("For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death")

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Revelation 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth MY WORKS unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

The works of the law are dead, but by the faith of He who FULFILLED THE LAW and by the keeping of HIS WORKS unto the end, we shall overcome the world. Following after the the law of righteousness without faith is self-righteousness and yields dead works.

Romans 9:

31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.


If you read chapter 9 of Hebrews where "dead works" is referenced, you will see that it is the works of the law.

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