IS THE CROSS A CHRISTIAN SYMBOL ?
INTRODUCTION
CROSS
A geometrical figure consisting of two straight lines or bars intersecting each other such that at least one of them is bisected by the other.
A wooden post with a perpendicular beam attached and used (especially in the Roman Empire) to execute criminals (by crucifixion). (usually with the) The cross on which Christ was crucified.
A hand gesture made by Catholics in imitation of the shape of the Cross.
(in Christianity) A modified representation of the crucifixion stake, worn as jewellery or displayed as a symbol of religious devotion.
The mere mention of the word word cross will signal one meaning these days to the bearer. The focus will be on the believed Christian piece of wood, metal or iron place across each other. Some put on the the cross as a pendant flowing from a necklace. According to survey of the Various belief in the cross revealed that apart from Christianity, some other religions including the idol worshippers such as Hindu,skill in India, organ Mexican worshippers and other idol priests adopted it before Christ came to earth.
ACCIENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE CROSS
Historically, Prior to the contemporary world, According to the expository Dictionary of the New Testament, the cross originated among the Babylonians and was used as a symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Taught the initial of his name ). Evidence of this was found in Egypt and other adjourning countries.
In most ancient books, walls, monument and temples,one can see the use of the Tau cross. It's use as a mystical symbol, it was not peculiar to theses countries but was highly reverenced among the Phoenicians, Mexican and ancient ildols worshippers in that hemisphere.
As the symbol (cross) spread to various nations, it's use developed into different shapes and ways. Among the Chinese, the cross is acknowledged to be one of the most ancient device for reverencing gods. The lantern used for Illuminating the most hidden and dark inner temples was designed and shaped in the cross drawings.
In India, the jar containing the "Holy water" from the Ganges bearvtge cross sign as an emblem of dismembered Jania saints - idols. The Buddhists, Sikhs of India were in the habits of marking their followers head with the cross dating back to centuries before the existence of Christianity.
When Alexander Balance of Syria in 146 BC reigned, the cross was on his coins. The Baktrian king of 140 - 120 BC long before St. Andrew, but now found on the inscription of an ancient drawing, dated before the Christian dispensation.
INTRODUCTION OF CROSS INTO THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION AND ADORATION
According to the Catholic encyclopedia, (Volume 4.page517 .Article (cross) ). Acknowledged that the cross in wooden, metal or drawing form was introduced inbthe west and east during a very remote period of human civilization. According to the record, it was not in Vogue at the time of the pedagogical Apostles, neither the Apostolic father age-1000-250 AD-during the time of papias, original, Eusebius, Tertulian among others.
Crucifixion as a method of death was used in the ancient times as a punishment for flagrant crimes in nations like Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Palestine, Rome, Greece etc. Tradition ascribes the invention of the punishment of the Cross to a woman queen Semiramis (wife to the evil king Nimrod) in the Genesis 10:8-12,The said king who ruled after Nimrod ,
took after the practice of crucifixion punishment
It was the Roman Catholic Church I'm the age of the papal Bishopric that that introduced the honoring of the mere pieces of wood metal or iron in form of cross into the altar and declared it holy after blessing it. You can find the inscribed on their robes, pendants necklaces ,walls and erected in church premises and halls. They have various shapes of crosses assigned to a given saint e.g St. George 's cross, or Andrew. Christopher 's cross is held in pockets of faithfuls against accident..
Did Christ die or was he crucified on the cross ?
But does that convey any special attachment to the pieces of wood,iron or metal?
Remember, the pieces of object is locked, kissed, bowed for by these faithfuls on the day called,"The way of the Cross ceremony ", which is held few days before Easter Festival. If we must adore, worship or honor that old rugged cross, then answer this. Supposing Christ, was shot with a gun, should the practice of holding of the practice of holding to the cross be the same? Would it have been to hold the gun as a symbol of christian faith? What about the nail, hammer, crown of thorns and the sword that pierced his side?
DOES THE CROSS HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANCE TO CHRISTIAN FAITH ?
Did Christ die on the cross? If yes is the answer, then there is a relative significance in terms of referencial and historical attachment,but not a compelling point of being adopted literally as a faith saving instrument. When the Bible speaks of cross of Christ in salvation message ,what became relevant Was The suffering of Christ not the pieces of crossed wood,iron or metal.1 Corinthians 1:17 (KJV) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.here the cross is figuratively an affliction notva crossed wooden. Paul said we preach Christ crucified 1 Corinthians 1:23 (KJV) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness.and the event that took place on the cross. Galatians 5:11 (KJV) And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. if Paul had given glory to the cross as some reason, quoting Galatians 6:14 (KJV) But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.who will fault them? But is this passage trying to reverence the literal wooden cross or his suffering? Which one bring salvation to mankind? Is it the cross or his actions and suffering which the wooden pieces acted as one of the instruments? They pick Philippians 3:18 (KJV) (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:and brand those who do not hold, honor and adore the pieces of crossed wooden as enemies of Christ. Does the cross here represent the literal cross or his suffering?
The gospel truth and fact is that the cross had been an instrument of punishment age before Christ came to earth .The cross was not designed specifically for christ's suffering but a standing tradition.
There was no difference in the shape of the three Crosses that served as a punishment toll on that day.They had a traditional location for this punishment of crucifixion .
John 19:16-18 (KJV) Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. should there be need to honor or worship that site. He was killed in a traditional site where criminals were crucified Luke 23:32-33, 39-41 (KJV) And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. should we worship or reverence the site instead of the actual purpose and message?
As I have afford mentioned, should we honor also the digger, shovel along side the nail, hammer and the wooden cross? The relevance of the Cross in its literal form has no place in Christian faith. Only the action that took place on the cross relate to our faith as a Christian.
Matthew 16:24 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. How do we take up our cross and follow him?
Is it by wearing cross as pendants or necklace, planting the pieces of wood at your door post, your room parlour ,your business places?. Is it what matters?.
The cross is not only the item idolized and paganised by some denominations and other religious bodies etc. There is scapler - a pieces of wood stitched together and rounded with a leather in four-corner shape. It is worn round the neck for protection by some worshippers.
The medal of various shapes blessed by the Bishop or Reverend also kept by some faithful Christian for protection against various misfortunes. St. Christopher 's medal and Criss are for accident Mary 's medal is for favor, Few but mentioned.
EMPEROR CONSTANTINE who embraced the Christians in his empire once claimed to have a vision of the Cross following him in the next day battle of October 28,AD,312. He was earlier told that the gods would not come to his aid. Smelling defeat, he came up with the vision idea.
According to the Catholic encyclopedia (Vol.13 page 454). To loreto for Catholic Church building to consecrate it with "their holiness" (saints ). This practice was borrowed from organs who used in rememberance of notable ancestors as spiritual power base., "This is idolising Christianity ", quoting a critic after watching the Pope paschal in 817 AD transfer the scared bone of 2,300 martyrs from cemetery to his church in Rome.
God is omnipotent, hence he hid the burial place of Moses to avoid idolising it or turning it into pilgrimage site.Deuteronomy 34:6 (KJV) And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.
2 Kings 18:4-5 (KJV) He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.The brass serpent of Moses was worshipped as sacred.
We do not need the wooden cross or it's sign in our worship as it may amount to idolising the worship. God is spirit and must be worshipped in spirit needing no physical symbol or sign in worship John 4:24 (KJV) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.It is not that there is anything wrong with a cross of wood or metal, but when it becomes a must have, it turns to an object of worship.
CONCLUSIVELY
The early Christians did not consider the cross on which Jesus died a virtuous symbol , but rather as the accursed tree. a device of death and shame.Hebrews 12:2-3 (KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
They did not trust in an old rugged cross instead, their faith was in what was accomplished on the cross and through faith, they knew full and complete forgiveness of sins. It was in this sense that the Apostles preached about the cross and glorified in it .Hence, Paul, while in corthin insisted on nothing than christ and his death on the cross .1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (KJV) And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.The physical cross is harmless but idolising it is sinful
The early Christians never spoke of the Cross as a piece of wood, metal or iron that one may carry in his hands or hang on a chain around his neck as a protector or charm.
Such use came later in 3rd or 4th century. It was the beginning of Christianity paganised or paganisim christinised in 431 AD that church building in Rome introduced it. Crucifix image and long crosses on high roof tops of churches was approved by the council at Ephesus in 586 AD.
The pyscisal cross is not a Christian symbol. It had been in use by organ before the emancipation of Christianity.
The cross highly esteemed by the Bible is not the physical piece of wood ,but represent his suffering, obedience, perseverance and death. 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 (KJV) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
As I have afford asked earlier, had it been Christ was killed by the use of a Gun,would Christian have adopted gun as their symbol.
No mater how the cross is been Christianized, it is not a Christian symbol
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