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Cross In Worship

may

Well-Known Member
Why​
True Christians Do Not Use the Cross in Worship

THE cross is loved and respected by millions of people. The Encyclopædia Britannica calls the cross "the principal symbol of the Christian religion." Nevertheless, true Christians do not use the cross in worship. Why not?
An important reason is that Jesus Christ did not die on a cross. The Greek word generally translated "cross" is stau·ros´. It basically means "an upright pale or stake." The Companion Bible points out: "[Stau·ros´] never means two pieces of timber placed across one another at any angle . . . There is nothing in the Greek of the [New Testament] even to imply two pieces of timber."
In several texts, Bible writers use another word for the instrument of Jesus’ death. It is the Greek word xy´lon. (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24) This word simply means "timber" or "a stick, club, or tree."
Explaining why a simple stake was often used for executions, the book Das Kreuz und die Kreuzigung (The Cross and the Crucifixion), by Hermann Fulda, states: "Trees were not everywhere available at the places chosen for public execution. So a simple beam was sunk into the ground. On this the outlaws, with hands raised upward and often also with their feet, were bound or nailed."
The most convincing proof of all, however, comes from God’s Word. The apostle Paul says: "Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: ‘Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake ["a tree," King James Version].’" (Galatians 3:13) Here Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, which clearly refers to a stake, not a cross. Since such a means of execution made the person "a curse," it would not be proper for Christians to decorate their homes with images of Christ impaled.
There is no evidence that for the first 300 years after Christ’s death, those claiming to be Christians used the cross in worship. In the fourth century, however, pagan Emperor Constantine became a convert to apostate Christianity and promoted the cross as its symbol. Whatever Constantine’s motives, the cross had nothing to do with Jesus Christ. The cross is, in fact, pagan in origin. The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits: "The cross is found in both pre-Christian and non-Christian cultures." Various other authorities have linked the cross with nature worship and pagan sex rites.​
Why, then, was this pagan symbol promoted? Apparently, to make it easier for pagans to accept "Christianity." Nevertheless, devotion to any pagan symbol is clearly condemned by the Bible. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) The Scriptures also forbid all forms of idolatry. (Exodus 20:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 10:14) With very good reason, therefore, true Christians do not use the cross in worship.
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
The Latter-day Saints don't use the cross in worship, May, but we would never be so presumptuous as to tell people who do that they aren't "true Christians." As a Christian denomination that is often assused of not being "Christian," why would Jehovah's Witnesses resort to this kind of negative labeling?
 

athanasius

Well-Known Member
Why​
True Christians Do Not Use the Cross in Worship

THE cross is loved and respected by millions of people. The Encyclopædia Britannica calls the cross "the principal symbol of the Christian religion." Nevertheless, true Christians do not use the cross in worship. Why not?
An important reason is that Jesus Christ did not die on a cross. The Greek word generally translated "cross" is stau·ros´. It basically means "an upright pale or stake." The Companion Bible points out: "[Stau·ros´] never means two pieces of timber placed across one another at any angle . . . There is nothing in the Greek of the [New Testament] even to imply two pieces of timber."
In several texts, Bible writers use another word for the instrument of Jesus’ death. It is the Greek word xy´lon. (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24) This word simply means "timber" or "a stick, club, or tree."
Explaining why a simple stake was often used for executions, the book Das Kreuz und die Kreuzigung (The Cross and the Crucifixion), by Hermann Fulda, states: "Trees were not everywhere available at the places chosen for public execution. So a simple beam was sunk into the ground. On this the outlaws, with hands raised upward and often also with their feet, were bound or nailed."
The most convincing proof of all, however, comes from God’s Word. The apostle Paul says: "Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: ‘Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake ["a tree," King James Version].’" (Galatians 3:13) Here Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, which clearly refers to a stake, not a cross. Since such a means of execution made the person "a curse," it would not be proper for Christians to decorate their homes with images of Christ impaled.
There is no evidence that for the first 300 years after Christ’s death, those claiming to be Christians used the cross in worship. In the fourth century, however, pagan Emperor Constantine became a convert to apostate Christianity and promoted the cross as its symbol. Whatever Constantine’s motives, the cross had nothing to do with Jesus Christ. The cross is, in fact, pagan in origin. The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits: "The cross is found in both pre-Christian and non-Christian cultures." Various other authorities have linked the cross with nature worship and pagan sex rites.​
Why, then, was this pagan symbol promoted? Apparently, to make it easier for pagans to accept "Christianity." Nevertheless, devotion to any pagan symbol is clearly condemned by the Bible. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) The Scriptures also forbid all forms of idolatry. (Exodus 20:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 10:14) With very good reason, therefore, true Christians do not use the cross in worship.

Actually the Term Stauros in "Koine" (Biblical Greek) does also include the meaning of two interesecting beams. Your thjinking of the Classical Greek term stauros . Remember the bible(New testmant) was written in Koine Greek. Most standard Christian Sources will show this, such as Kittles theological Dictionary of the new testmant. Also recent archeological finds in the 60's also proved this.
 

may

Well-Known Member
The Latter-day Saints don't use the cross in worship, May, but we would never be so presumptuous as to tell people who do that they aren't "true Christians." As a Christian denomination that is often assused of not being "Christian," why would Jehovah's Witnesses resort to this kind of negative labeling?
for a true christian , anything to do with pagan worship is a no no. to mix our worship with pagan beliefs would be wrong in the eyes of the most high. and the bible tells his people to.... get out of her..... in the book of revelation, in revelation 18;4 , .........Babylon the great.......... is the world empire of false religion and the cross is a babylonish symbol so true christians are out of babylonish things because it is something that will contaminate their true worship ,if they take on board things that have babylonish roots............. pure worship is what true christians are after ,not mixing false with pure. true christians are after truth .
 

may

Well-Known Member
The Latter-day Saints don't use the cross in worship, May, but we would never be so presumptuous as to tell people who do that they aren't "true Christians." As a Christian denomination that is often assused of not being "Christian," why would Jehovah's Witnesses resort to this kind of negative labeling?
? why do latter-day saints not use the cross
 

may

Well-Known Member
Actually the Term Stauros in "Koine" (Biblical Greek) does also include the meaning of two interesecting beams. Your thjinking of the Classical Greek term stauros . Remember the bible(New testmant) was written in Koine Greek. Most standard Christian Sources will show this, such as Kittles theological Dictionary of the new testmant. Also recent archeological finds in the 60's also proved this.
The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John use the Greek word stau·ros´ when referring to the instrument of execution on which Jesus died. (Matthew 27:40; Mark 15:30; Luke 23:26) The word stau·ros´ refers to an upright pole, stake, or post. The book The Non-Christian Cross, by J. D. Parsons, explains: "There is not a single sentence in any of the numerous writings forming the New Testament, which, in the original Greek, bears even indirect evidence to the effect that the stauros used in the case of Jesus was other than an ordinary stauros; much less to the effect that it consisted, not of one piece of timber, but of two pieces nailed together in the form of a cross."
 

may

Well-Known Member
What​
Does the Cross Symbolize?

Long before the Christian era, crosses were used by the ancient Babylonians as symbols in their worship of the fertility god Tammuz. The use of the cross spread into Egypt, India, Syria, and China. Then, centuries later, the Israelites adulterated their worship of Jehovah with acts of veneration to the false god Tammuz. The Bible refers to this form of worship as a ‘detestable thing.’—Ezekiel 8:13, 14.
 

may

Well-Known Member
Actually the Term Stauros in "Koine" (Biblical Greek) does also include the meaning of two interesecting beams. Your thjinking of the Classical Greek term stauros . Remember the bible(New testmant) was written in Koine Greek. Most standard Christian Sources will show this, such as Kittles theological Dictionary of the new testmant. Also recent archeological finds in the 60's also proved this.
It was not until about 300 years after Jesus’ death that some professed Christians promoted the idea that Jesus was put to death on a two-beamed cross. However, this view was based on tradition and a misuse of the Greek word stau·ros´. It is noteworthy that some ancient drawings depicting Roman executions feature a single wooden pole or tree.
 

may

Well-Known Member
The Latter-day Saints don't use the cross in worship, May, but we would never be so presumptuous as to tell people who do that they aren't "true Christians." As a Christian denomination that is often assused of not being "Christian," why would Jehovah's Witnesses resort to this kind of negative labeling?
A more important issue for true Christians should be the propriety of venerating the instrument used to kill Jesus. Whether it was an upright single torture stake, a cross, an arrow, a lance, or a knife, should such an instrument be used in worship?
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
pure worship is what true christians are after ,not mixing false with pure. true christians are after truth .
True Christians also do not condemn one another. In Mark 9:38-40, we read of a conversation between Christ and His Apostles when John said, "Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us." Christ replied by saying, "Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part."

All Christians love Christ. They also love their fellow men. They all search after truth. The fact that they may not all have reached their intended goal, is no reason for any of them to judge another.
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
? why do latter-day saints not use the cross
We do not use the cross for essentially the same reason Jehovah's Witnesses do not use the cross. We do not believe that it was a part of the Apostolic Church. Furthermore, we prefer to focus on the glorified, risen Lord as opposed to the suffering, dying Lord.
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
A more important issue for true Christians should be the propriety of venerating the instrument used to kill Jesus. Whether it was an upright single torture stake, a cross, an arrow, a lance, or a knife, should such an instrument be used in worship?
On this I would agree. I am sure that most Christians would say, though, that they do not venerate the instrument used to kill Jesus. They use the cross as a symbol to remind them of His atoning sacrifice. You don't and we don't, but from the LDS perspective, it's not something that ruffles our feathers all that much. According to our 11th Article of Faith, "We claim the privilege of worshiping the Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." To us, there are more important things to be concerned about than the use of a cross on the side of a Church.
 

may

Well-Known Member
We do not use the cross for essentially the same reason Jehovah's Witnesses do not use the cross. We do not believe that it was a part of the Apostolic Church. Furthermore, we prefer to focus on the glorified, risen Lord as opposed to the suffering, dying Lord.
OK thanks , so mixing false with pure is not good.
 

UnityNow101

Well-Known Member
Yeah, worshipping the cross is definantely not a good thing and I am not aware of any Christians that worship the cross, but who knows? I know that some Churches use the cross with the battered and dying Christ, which is a big no-no. Some of the cross stuff almost borders on idolatry and goes directly against the 2nd Commandment. That is why I am one that is not too big into people wearing the cross or having crosses plastered all over the place, but to each his own I guess.
 

may

Well-Known Member
On this I would agree. I am sure that most Christians would say, though, that they do not venerate the instrument used to kill Jesus. They use the cross as a symbol to remind them of His atoning sacrifice. You don't and we don't, but from the LDS perspective, it's not something that ruffles our feathers all that much. According to our 11th Article of Faith, "We claim the privilege of worshiping the Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." To us, there are more important things to be concerned about than the use of a cross on the side of a Church.
yes i agree people should have the choice to worship as they want . but did not Jesus himself expose the false teachings of the mainstream of his time , or did he say go ahead worship how you want it doesnt matter if its true or false. i think Jesus exposed false worship. he did not beat about the bush, he was direct and to the point. if it was not in line with Gods ways he made it known. and the religious leaders did not like that at all , nothing changes on that , true followers of christ expose wrong teachings just like Jesus did . he is our example is he not?
 

may

Well-Known Member
True Christians also do not condemn one another. In Mark 9:38-40, we read of a conversation between Christ and His Apostles when John said, "Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us." Christ replied by saying, "Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part."

All Christians love Christ. They also love their fellow men. They all search after truth. The fact that they may not all have reached their intended goal, is no reason for any of them to judge another.
yes true christians have love among themselves, but as followers of christ they make known the truth , judging a fellow true worshiper would be wrong , but making known false teachings out of line with true worship would be right. thats what Jesus did .
The man really had faith in Jesus’ name and thus succeeded in expelling demons. He was doing something that compared favorably with what Jesus said was deserving of a reward. Jesus shows that for doing this, he will not lose his reward.
The Christian congregation had not yet been set up, so his not being part of their group did not mean that he was of a separate congregation
 

wizanda

One Accepts All Religious Texts
Premium Member
Mat 10:38
(38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

There are two crosses one is the ancient symbol globally of God, taken from the ancient Hebrew….

Which in most cultures implies the line from east to west, and the present and future with us in the middle.
Ancient Hebrew means to make a mark or monument.
So this occurrence of Christ asking means those whom follow God fully, from start to finish.
 

dawny0826

Mother Heathen
true Christians do not use the cross in worship

This type of statement amongst others that I've read in literature provided to me by JW are the very reasons that I'm uncomfortable with the religion.

Truly, who are you and those of your faith to tell me that I'm not a true Christian because the cross is an important symbol of my faith?

That's what it is, may...a symbol. It reminds me of one of the most important aspects of my faith...that I'm to carry MY OWN cross and follow Christ...not the world.

The cross is a symbol of the sacrifice that was made so that I can be reconciled with my Heavenly Father.

If you and yours have an issue with that...fine...but how can you claim that I'm not a TRUE Christian?
 

dawny0826

Mother Heathen
Mat 10:38
(38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

There are two crosses one is the ancient symbol globally of God, taken from the ancient Hebrew….

Which in most cultures implies the line from east to west, and the present and future with us in the middle.
Ancient Hebrew means to make a mark or monument.
So this occurrence of Christ asking means those whom follow God fully, from start to finish.

Good post. You beat me to the scripture.

For many Christians, the cross is symbolic of abandoning the life of the flesh and following after Christ. In so many ways, it's the heart of what a Christian is/does.
 

Super Universe

Defender of God
It was not until about 300 years after Jesus’ death that some professed Christians promoted the idea that Jesus was put to death on a two-beamed cross. However, this view was based on tradition and a misuse of the Greek word stau·ros´. It is noteworthy that some ancient drawings depicting Roman executions feature a single wooden pole or tree.

It is noteworthy that some depictions of Roman executions feature a single wooden pole or tree. It is also noteworthy that some depict crosses because both were used to crucify people condemned to death. Do you think it really mattered to the condemned?

This idea that Christ really died on a stake instead of a cross comes from the Jehovah's Witnesses.

I'll agree that we should not worship any idols, especially golden ones, but the debate whether it was a cross or stake that Jesus died on has more to do with JW religion trying to set itself apart from other religions instead of finding common ground with them.
 
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