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Biblical definition of works

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by mandym, Mar 5, 2012.

  1. mandym

    mandym New Member

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    What is the biblical definition of "works"?

    Please do not just make a statement of opinion. Provide scripture or even scholarly writings of others.


    *Note- Scholarly writing of others means those who provide references of others. That which would be considered acceptable in academia.

    Things that are not helpful are wikipedia or websites that provide no research to their views.
     
  2. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    Works:
    Luke 18
    10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
    11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
    12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.​

    Grace:
    13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.​

    14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.​

    HankD​
     
  3. plain_n_simple

    plain_n_simple Active Member

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    John 14

    11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

    12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

    13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.


    The definition of these works are healing, casting out devils, miracles
     
  4. revmwc

    revmwc Well-Known Member

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    1 Corinthians 3: 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
    13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
    14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
    15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

    Works of intrinsic value bring Gold silver precious stones. Those done in the flesh wood hay and stubble.


    Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

    What we do as lead of the Spirit are goods works those things done by us "we have done" in the flesh are of no intrinsic value.

    Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

    Without Faith the works are dead and men stumble and can't find salvation

    Galatians 5:.16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
    17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
    18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
    19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
    20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
    21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
    22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
    23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
    24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
    25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
    26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

    Sums it up.

    James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

    When you know what is good and you don't do (work) what is good it is sin.
     
  5. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Works refers to the efforts and accomplishments a person does. Thus the works of Christ are good works. Works we do in accordance with God's purpose and plan are good works, such as making disciples.

    Works not in accord with God's purpose and plan are worthless, such as trying to earn salvation. But our effort to seek Jesus and eternal life through faith is a worthwhile work, because Romans 4:5 says God credits that faith as righteousness. So salvation does not depend on the one who seeks God through faith or works, but upon God who has mercy on whom He has mercy.

    The whole debate then is over God having mercy on those whose faith He credits as righteousness. The bible clearly says He does, and Calvinism says He does not.

    Calvinists repeatedly try to equate trusting in Christ as "works" and then claim salvation is not of "works." Pure twaddle folks!!
     
    #5 Van, Mar 7, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 7, 2012
  6. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    It's simply a word, probably with most of the meanings it has in modern English usage. It can either refer to vain works in an attempt to earn salvation, or actual good things we do, or the "work" of Christ on the cross.

    -Eph. 2:8-9 - Salvation is not by works (works are "bad")
    -Eph. 1:10 - Salvation results in works (works are "good")

    Anyone saying we are saved by our works is obviously missing some parts of scripture.

    Anyone saying works don't matter is obviously missing some parts of scripture.
     
  7. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    Good works are those done by Christians AFTER saved by God, as they would be evidence of one having be actually saved!

    All others works can be good in sense of good deeds done to benefit others, but NOT good in sense can by us "credit" with God in order to get saved by them!
     
  8. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    Actually, Jesus said GREATER than those we would do!

    believe was referring to the fact that he was stuck in a body, and was only able to be at one spot at a time...

    Bot now the saved can take Jesus out to the whole world, as thru the HS in us, we have means Now to take Jesus out to entire World!
     
  9. plain_n_simple

    plain_n_simple Active Member

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    I used KJV

    He sent out the seventy, and they did the works.
     
  10. revmwc

    revmwc Well-Known Member

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    I know you used the KJV for the 70 because the NIV and NAS say 72.
     
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