The commandment to rest on the Sabbath was changed by the Christian Bible

Thanks Jellon, I would like to begin with the theological concept of the Sabbath. Gen. 2:3 "And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested (Shabbat) from all his work of creation." The Archaeological study Bible points that there is no end to the rest mentioned in Gen. 2. Exodus 16 is the 1st time the term "Shabbaton" is mentioned in reference to an observance (1). In the creation, notice that all of mankind and animals rested. What caused man to toil the ground and leave this rest? Sin. In Exodus 20:8-11 "8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labour and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." The Hebrew word "Qadosh" means "to set apart (2). Israel was set apart to God for a special purpose, thus one of God's commandments given to his holy people was to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it. Exodus 31:12-17 "12 The Lord said to Moses: 13 "Tell the Israelites: You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am Yahweh who sets you apart. 14 Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it must be put to death. If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people. 15 Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16 The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a perpetual [Olam] covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between Me and the Israelites, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed." The Hebrew word "Olam" can mean forever or a really long time. Here are a few examples to compare the two definitions (3). How do we know whether or not God meant forever or simply a long time in this passage? I'll explain later. Between the intertestamental period, the rabbis began placing restrictions of the Sabbath. Yeshua (Jesus) ignored their teachings and did his father's divine work on the Sabbath. No where in the Torah does it forbid doing the works of God. He stressed the importance of the law which was mercy (Matt. 12:1-14). Now in the New Testament, it's important to make a distinction between a Jew and a Gentile. Throughout this debate, i will explain the disputes between Jews and Gentiles on the Torah and how it relates to Yeshua. The purpose of Paul's ministry is given in Acts 9:15-16 "He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name"s sake." Acts 17:1-3 does not imply that the Sabbath was to be kept, simply that Paul walked in on a Sabbath day and preached the Gospel to the Jews. "When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah, he said." Acts 13 is also an example of how God preached to the Jews, not implying that the Sabbath was to be enforced. Now Acts 20 follows the same principle. Acts 21 does not support that Paul kept the Torah. V. 19 demonstrates that salvation coming from the Jews is given to the Gentiles as well. V. 21 is where a rumor is spread that Paul is teaching against Torah observance. V. 22-24 then explain that Paul went to dispel the rumor by putting on a show. Paul recognized the importance of witnessing to Jews and Gentiles as well. Paul says this in 1 Cor. 9:20 "When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law." Things to consider: 1. Col. 2 speaks of the fullness which is in the Messiah and then it says in v. 16-17 "16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." The Sabbath observance itself has been nullified by faith in the Messiah. 2. Heb. 4:1-11 " Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."" And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "On the seventh day God rested from all his works." 5 And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest." 6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it "Today". This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God"s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience." Previously in chapter 3, Paul spoke about how The Messiah is greater than Moses and heir over God's own house. If by disobedience to God's ways we fail to enter God's rest then it is only by faith in the Messiah that we enter God's Sabbath! 3. The Hebrew "Olam" is most likely used to refer to a long period of time as we have seen the Messiah fulfill this aspect of the Torah. Conclusion - The ultimate fulfillment of the Sabbath is expressed by faith in the Messiah, relieving us from our works of salvation and entering into the rest God has prepared for his people not simply for Jews and Gentiles, but for all of mankind. Sources: Gen. 2:3 Hebrew http://biblehub.com... 1. http://en.wikipedia.org... 2. http://biblehub.com... 3. http://www.halleluyahfellowship.com...