Page 53 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook
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The 39 Prohibited Activities
As based on the Mishnah Tractate Shabbat 7:2, the 39 activities are:
Flaying
Sowing Beating wool Tanning
Plowing Dyeing wool Scraping hide
Reaping Spinning Marking hides
Binding sheaves Weaving Cutting hide to shape
Threshing Making two loops Writing two or more letters
Winnowing Weaving two threads Erasing two or more letters
Selecting Separating two threads Building
Grinding Tying Demolishing
Sifting Untying Extinguishing a fire
Kneading Sewing stitches Kindling a fire
Baking Tearing Putting the finishing touch on an object
Shearing wool Trapping Transporting an object between a private domain and
Washing wool Slaughtering the public domain, or for a distance of 4 cubits within
the public domain.
See http://www.thenazareneway.com/sabbath/39_prohib_sabbath.htm for more details.
Before we move on, I want to sound a word of caution. Sometimes we are not as different from
the religious leaders as we might think. Whenever we equate our “sacred traditions” with
Scripture we are following the example of Jesus’ opponents here. The kind of narrow thinking
that equates tradition with Scripture blinds us to seeing God’s work among His people.
Jesus Is Equal to God in His Works
John 5:19 Then Jesus replied, “I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He
sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does these things in the same way. For
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the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing, and He will show Him greater works than
these so that you will be amazed.
Jesus Is Equal to God in His Power and Sovereignty
John 5:21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to anyone He
wants to.
Jesus Is Equal to God in His Judgment
John 5:22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son,
Jesus Is Equal to God in His Honor
John 5:23 so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the
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Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him
who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
Stop for a few moments and seriously consider the following six claims. Think of the best person in all of history
(other than Jesus Christ), living or dead. Imagine him or her standing before you to make a speech having these
six points:
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