Repentance from dead works, and faith toward God

[Michael37]

7 hours ago, cantankerous5 said:

Is there a psg in the Bible that uses the term "dead works"? I don't recall those exact words in my Bible

But Jesus did  tell us and other persons/books in the Bible tell us that we are judged "according to our deeds" so I hope you do not mean that good works are "dead works" that we should avoid??

some denoms teach that

Denoms = short for denominations. Sorry, I had to laugh at the earlier feedback "Demons teach nothing".

As for the Scripture regarding dead works see below:

Heb 6:1-2
(1)  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
(2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Initially we look at the context before and after a passage being studied to get the correct perspective. In this case the scattered Hebrews to whom this letter was addressed are being exhorted to stay true to the Gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and not to let the things they have heard slip (Heb 2:1), not to neglect so great a salvation (Heb 2:3), rather to take heed lest there be an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God (Heb 3:12),  and to take care not to come short of the promise of entering into eternal rest through Christ (Heb 4:1).

Then we come across a serious problem among the Hebrews, some of whom were still trusting in their works according to the law and were either reluctant to put their faith in Christ for salvation, or having done this for awhile were reverting back to works of the law which were actually dead works, or works that lead to death because they show a lack of faith in Christ for salvation.

 Heb 5:9-10
(9)  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
(10)  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Heb 5:11-14
(11)  Of whom we have many things to say (that is about Melchisedec), and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing.
(12)  For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
(13)  For every one that uses milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
(14)  But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  

So this is the preceding context to Heb 6:1-2 which continues on to insist that the principles of the doctrine of Christ that constitute a foundation of 6 "blocks" as it were, are built upon and not repeatedly laid over and over, the first "block" being repentance or turning from dead works, initially the works of the law the Hebrews traditionally and inherently attended to before Christ fulfilled all their requirements, but by analogy, any work that substitutes for faith in Christ.  

The rest of chapter 6 book-ends the call to move on from the foundational principles of Christ and further exhorts to avoid falling away from them to dire consequences.

Hebrews is such a rich source of doctrine and speaks continually of the better covenant that Christ has given. 

Michael37.

[gordon7777]

17 hours ago, Michael37 said:

Denoms = short for denominations. Sorry, I had to laugh at the earlier feedback "Demons teach nothing".

As for the Scripture regarding dead works see below:

Heb 6:1-2
(1)  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
(2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Initially we look at the context before and after a passage being studied to get the correct perspective. In this case the scattered Hebrews to whom this letter was addressed are being exhorted to stay true to the Gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and not to let the things they have heard slip (Heb 2:1), not to neglect so great a salvation (Heb 2:3), rather to take heed lest there be an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God (Heb 3:12),  and to take care not to come short of the promise of entering into eternal rest through Christ (Heb 4:1).

Then we come across a serious problem among the Hebrews, some of whom were still trusting in their works according to the law and were either reluctant to put their faith in Christ for salvation, or having done this for awhile were reverting back to works of the law which were actually dead works, or works that lead to death because they show a lack of faith in Christ for salvation.

 Heb 5:9-10
(9)  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
(10)  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Heb 5:11-14
(11)  Of whom we have many things to say (that is about Melchisedec), and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing.
(12)  For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
(13)  For every one that uses milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
(14)  But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  

So this is the preceding context to Heb 6:1-2 which continues on to insist that the principles of the doctrine of Christ that constitute a foundation of 6 "blocks" as it were, are built upon and not repeatedly laid over and over, the first "block" being repentance or turning from dead works, initially the works of the law the Hebrews traditionally and inherently attended to before Christ fulfilled all their requirements, but by analogy, any work that substitutes for faith in Christ.  

The rest of chapter 6 book-ends the call to move on from the foundational principles of Christ and further exhorts to avoid falling away from them to dire consequences.

Hebrews is such a rich source of doctrine and speaks continually of the better covenant that Christ has given. 

Michael37.

Hebrews is contained in the Epistles, the Epistles are to the Gentiles, the Jews had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, and Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles TURNED AWAY FROM THE JEWS. Knowing this information, makes it easier understood that the Hebrews had to have a necessary first warning, and the scriptures are for the Gentiles to believe. It cannot talk about our Lord Jesus Christ and understanding Melchesedic, without it being for Gentiles...Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

Galatians 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

 

"Then we come across a serious problem among the Hebrews, some of whom were still trusting in their works according to the law and were either reluctant to put their faith in Christ for salvation, or having done this for awhile were reverting back to works of the law which were actually dead works, or works that lead to death because they show a lack of faith in Christ for salvation."

 

Works that lead to death, are what is told, cursed is everyone that does not continue, thy cannot be dead works as they LIVE in them..

Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord.

 

Galatians 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

 

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Dead works are as everybody is dead, all were dead, it is very simple, ALL, have to be purged from dead then, from dead works, to serve the LIVING God, otherwise, we have a name that we are LIVING, but we are DEAD, because of the WORKS(dead works still for Gentiles)

 

Hebrews 9:13 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?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

 

Then look, all Jews AND Gentiles are proven to be under sin, and Hebrews does instruct them under the law, but you will not put it away from Gentiles that through all the testimony the world is become guilty before God, and they all do dead works, who serve not in the new LIVING way..

 

1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

Hebrews 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Isaiah 25:7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

 

Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

 

Dead works, they are the work you do that leads you to death, sin, now to life, we were all held dead in the law, there was no life to anyone in the world, we are dead without Christ, now we walk in newness of life, and not in the oldness, DEADNESS of the letter, which is all without faith..

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

 

Not according to our works, so we see the works talks about the Gentiles, at the same time as the Hebrews when they were in the law. The mystery among the Gentiles, now made known to all nations, to the strangers scattered, who were not a people, but are now the people of God..

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

1 Peter 1: 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1 Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Edited May 31, 2019 by gordon7777

[Michael37]

8 hours ago, gordon7777 said:

Hebrews is contained in the Epistles, the Epistles are to the Gentiles,

Heb 13:25
(25)  Grace be with you all. Amen. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, couriered by Timothy.

He·brew

 (hē′bro͞o)

n.

1.

a. A member of an ancient Semitic people claiming descent from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; an Israelite.

b. A descendant of this people; a Jew.

2.

a. The Semitic language of the ancient Hebrews.

b. Any of the various later forms of this language, especially the language of the Israelis.

3. Hebrews(used with a sing. verb) See Table at Bible.

---

[Middle English Ebreu, from Old French, from Latin Hebraeus, Hebraic, from Greek Hebraios, from Aramaic 'ibrāy, from Hebrew 'ibrî.]

---

He′brew adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

[gordon7777]

9 hours ago, Michael37 said:

Heb 13:25
(25)  Grace be with you all. Amen. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, couriered by Timothy.

He·brew

 (hē′bro͞o)

n.

1.

a. A member of an ancient Semitic people claiming descent from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; an Israelite.

b. A descendant of this people; a Jew.

2.

a. The Semitic language of the ancient Hebrews.

b. Any of the various later forms of this language, especially the language of the Israelis.

3. Hebrews(used with a sing. verb) See Table at Bible.

---

[Middle English Ebreu, from Old French, from Latin Hebraeus, Hebraic, from Greek Hebraios, from Aramaic 'ibrāy, from Hebrew 'ibrî.]

---

He′brew adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Hebrews, people of the first testament, whom Isaiah also wrote to, but wrote regarding the light to the Gentiles and the covenant that will be for them also..

 

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

 

Hebrews, Christ came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel only, the Gospel then is only for them, but the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their masters tables, and that is the light to the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel..

 

Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

 

Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

All scripture is profitable for Jew and Gentile for instruction in righteousness and to be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works..

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.