Post by The cross symbol on Sept 23, 2005 2:53:02 GMT -5
The Cross – Christian or Pagan?
The cross is used as Christian symbolism all throughout Christianity, you can see it on church’s, in houses and almost everywhere you go.
But is the cross as we know it something given to us by God or was it originally made for pagan worship and seen as an abomination to Him? In this biblical study we will discover the truth and see what God has to say about its use by his people and the deception that has swept over Christians today.
The first Christians didn’t consider the cross to be a "sacred" relic nor did they trust in that old rugged cross. Instead they saw it as a shame and as that accursed tree.
“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.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Instead of putting their faith into the cross as a piece of wood they should cherish they put their faith in what was accomplished on the cross. Which is the salvation that can be obtained through the acceptance of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)
Lets just take a look at the history of the cross and find out where its origins are.
It is believed that the cross originated from pagan worship back in Babalonian times.
Among the Chinese the cross is believed to be an ancient device, it is on the walls of their pagodas and
painted on their lanterns in the most sacred rooms of their temples.
In India there are two crude crosses made out of stone which dates back before Christ. One is over 10 feet and the other is over 8 feet tall. Buddhists and many other religions in India mark the heads of their followers with the sign of the cross.
The cross was used as a religious symbol by the aborigines of South America in ancient times.
The cross was also used by the Patagonians, they tattooed it to their foreheads.
In Peru ancient pottery has been found that has crosses as religious symbols.
Assyrian kings wore crosses on chains around their necks.
Those are just a few examples of the ways the cross was and is used in pagan lands as a form of worship. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t want to worship like a pagan, remember the
bible tells us to “be ye separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17).
Here is the definition of Idolatry:
*Webster's 1913 Dictionary
I`dol´a`try
n. 1. The worship of idols, images, or anything which is not God; the worship of false gods.
2. Excessive attachment or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders on adoration.
Here is what the bible has to say about idolatry:
“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” (Acts 15:19-20)
“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.” (Acts 17:16)
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14)
“Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?” (Romans 2:22)
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John 5:21)
God never once told us in His word to create a cross for ourselves and to make it out of gold, silver, stone, and wood, so why do we?
I ask you again, is the cross that is cherished as a relic and keepsake given to us from God? I should say not, it is most definitely a form of pagan worship and all pagan worship is of the devil.
We are by no means trying to take away from the meaning of the cross, we should always be thankful and rejoice in the sacrifice Christ made for us, but we should never turn that thankfulness into a form of idolatry and create an idol for ourselves to cherish.
We were once deceived to the pagan roots of the cross, but through prayer have found the truth, and now want to share that truth with others who are being deceived.
Its what was accomplished on the cross we should be thankful for, not a graven image of the cross. By the way the tree, cross Jesus was crucified on for our sins was more than likly a straight or upright pole, not an intersecting pole. Either way to display a image of it is wrong, sinful and idolitry.
As young saved christians Victoria and I wore a cross around our necks with great pride to show all we Love Jesus. It was one of our most cherished items. Little did we know that even though we never bowed down and worshipped them, that we were commiting idolitry in the sight of the Lord by just displaying them. Then the Spirit of God convicted us of that sin. Thank you Lord for your forgivness, mercy and most of all your abuntant grace. Happy is the man that God correctith.
So I ask? Why in the world do Christians keep using this satanic symbol after knowing better?? I think scripture tells us, In the last days there shall come scoffers, willingly ignorant, walking after their own lusts.
Yes that sums it up! If you are reading this with denial, please stop and pray to the true living God and ask for your wool to be trimmed from your eyes, and ears. And I'll pray for you friends.
Christs servent
Brother Jerm
The cross is used as Christian symbolism all throughout Christianity, you can see it on church’s, in houses and almost everywhere you go.
But is the cross as we know it something given to us by God or was it originally made for pagan worship and seen as an abomination to Him? In this biblical study we will discover the truth and see what God has to say about its use by his people and the deception that has swept over Christians today.
The first Christians didn’t consider the cross to be a "sacred" relic nor did they trust in that old rugged cross. Instead they saw it as a shame and as that accursed tree.
“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.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Instead of putting their faith into the cross as a piece of wood they should cherish they put their faith in what was accomplished on the cross. Which is the salvation that can be obtained through the acceptance of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)
Lets just take a look at the history of the cross and find out where its origins are.
It is believed that the cross originated from pagan worship back in Babalonian times.
Among the Chinese the cross is believed to be an ancient device, it is on the walls of their pagodas and
painted on their lanterns in the most sacred rooms of their temples.
In India there are two crude crosses made out of stone which dates back before Christ. One is over 10 feet and the other is over 8 feet tall. Buddhists and many other religions in India mark the heads of their followers with the sign of the cross.
The cross was used as a religious symbol by the aborigines of South America in ancient times.
The cross was also used by the Patagonians, they tattooed it to their foreheads.
In Peru ancient pottery has been found that has crosses as religious symbols.
Assyrian kings wore crosses on chains around their necks.
Those are just a few examples of the ways the cross was and is used in pagan lands as a form of worship. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t want to worship like a pagan, remember the
bible tells us to “be ye separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17).
Here is the definition of Idolatry:
*Webster's 1913 Dictionary
I`dol´a`try
n. 1. The worship of idols, images, or anything which is not God; the worship of false gods.
2. Excessive attachment or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders on adoration.
Here is what the bible has to say about idolatry:
“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” (Acts 15:19-20)
“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.” (Acts 17:16)
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14)
“Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?” (Romans 2:22)
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John 5:21)
God never once told us in His word to create a cross for ourselves and to make it out of gold, silver, stone, and wood, so why do we?
I ask you again, is the cross that is cherished as a relic and keepsake given to us from God? I should say not, it is most definitely a form of pagan worship and all pagan worship is of the devil.
We are by no means trying to take away from the meaning of the cross, we should always be thankful and rejoice in the sacrifice Christ made for us, but we should never turn that thankfulness into a form of idolatry and create an idol for ourselves to cherish.
We were once deceived to the pagan roots of the cross, but through prayer have found the truth, and now want to share that truth with others who are being deceived.
Its what was accomplished on the cross we should be thankful for, not a graven image of the cross. By the way the tree, cross Jesus was crucified on for our sins was more than likly a straight or upright pole, not an intersecting pole. Either way to display a image of it is wrong, sinful and idolitry.
As young saved christians Victoria and I wore a cross around our necks with great pride to show all we Love Jesus. It was one of our most cherished items. Little did we know that even though we never bowed down and worshipped them, that we were commiting idolitry in the sight of the Lord by just displaying them. Then the Spirit of God convicted us of that sin. Thank you Lord for your forgivness, mercy and most of all your abuntant grace. Happy is the man that God correctith.
So I ask? Why in the world do Christians keep using this satanic symbol after knowing better?? I think scripture tells us, In the last days there shall come scoffers, willingly ignorant, walking after their own lusts.
Yes that sums it up! If you are reading this with denial, please stop and pray to the true living God and ask for your wool to be trimmed from your eyes, and ears. And I'll pray for you friends.
Christs servent
Brother Jerm