The Cross As A Christian Symbol, Truth Or Lie?
Here is a lie: The cross is a holy symbol; that is why we have them on our church steeples
, on altars in the churches, on our walls, even hanging from our rear view mirrors and our necks.
Here is the elongated, elaborate lie: A crucifix on the wall of the church reminds Christians of Gods act of love; and the atonement of sins through the sacrifice of Christ, 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world', in Calvary. The sacred crucifix also reminds Christian's of Jesus victory over sin and death, since it is believed that through His death and resurrection, He conquered death itself.
Here's the truth: The cross was NOT a Christian symbol before Yeshua, the Messiah was born. The cross was NOT a Christian symbol for hundreds of years after Yeshua. A crucifix is a cross with the Lord still nailed to it. Do you think He is honored if you have one of those hanging from your neck? With all the fancy talk about what the crucifix SYMBOLIZES on the walls of our churches, there is total avoidance of the FACT that it is still a pagan idol! This elongated and elaborate statement must be Catholic in origin.
If the cross is a Christian symbol, then why does the occult, even to this day, use it so much? If the cross is a Christian symbol, why is it traceable way back to Babylon and Egypt, as far back as 2,000 B.C. when Christianity was unheard of? Many ancient cultures have already used crosses or the mystic Tau as idols, from ancient Chaldea in Babylon, which seems to be the origin, to Egypt, India, China, Africa, Mexico Greece, Italy, and South American cultures. All this BEFORE Yeshua was even born! If pagans had never used crosses as idols, then developed them into instruments of torture and death, you NEVER would have thought of wearing a pendant cross with diamonds on a necklace.
The cross is the most sacred IDOL to the Roman Catholic Church. This in itself should raise suspicion. The cross was incorporated into Roman worship after 430 A.D., yet it took another 150 years for it to make its way up to the steeples. The Church of Rome sanctioned the cross in the 6th century; and you may believe it or not, but the council of Ephesus decreed that a cross should be a "requirement "in EVERY HOME!
Of course, by todays standard, it is not considered an IDOL anymore, because some pope says it is holy. What do you think God's feelings are on this? Would God say, 'Well, if it's okay with the pope, then it's okay with ME.?' Some would argue: 'a Christian cross is different from all those OTHER crosses.' That's like saying you have a potbellied pig but he's different from all those other pigs. So you think what the cross means today alters the fact that it was a tool for idolatry before?
Do you think that after Yehsua had ascended, any of the disciples would have been inclined to enter a building with a big cross on its steeple? They probably would have thought it was a house of crucifixion rather than the house of God. What if the disciples were transported to the here and now? Do you think they would want to enter a church with a big cross on its walls? The cross was a very horrible torture instrument during those days; nobody in that time would have ever glorified it, or be seen with a little wooden cross hanging on their neck.
If the Lord was shot by an assault rifle when He atoned for our sins, would people have a little M-16 hanging from their necklace? How about an M-60 on every steeple; the longer the belt of bullets, the 'holier' the people would feel? That would have turned the Rambo series into sacred, holy religious movies! If people can't tell that you are a believer by your speech, actions, love, and the kind of life you live, then NO amount of hardware around your neck, on your dashboard or wall, or on the steeple will ever convey that fact either.
The lord was already displeased with idols; to bring them into our house was absolutely forbidden. (Deut. 7:25, 26) Back then, you were supposed to BURN them with fire. (Deut. 7:5) To even so much as inquire about how other people worship their gods was forbidden; but especially so when you do likewise. (Deut. 12:30, 31) The punishment for doing was ... (Deut. 17:2 - 5)
Oh, and what was the second commandment again? (Ex. 20:4, 5) You shall NOT make ANY graven images. Now, how stupid can we get?
There is absolutely no difference between the New Testament view (1John 5:21) and the Old Testament view when it comes to idols. You shall NOT do so unto the Lord your God (Deut. 12:4)
by: Garen Arnold
How To Live A Guilt-Free Christian Life