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Come to the cross

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TimothyVI:
Hi everyone.
I do not post often. I am too busy reading all of Ray's papers as well as his email responses.
The rest of the time on this forum I read what each of you have to say.

But I have a question that is assuredly not a very intelligent one. I hope you forgive me.
I can't find the answer in any of Rays papers, or the search function on this forum.

I wonder why Christians revere the instrument of Christ's death, the cross.
If our Lord had been shot would we wear little guns around our neck? Or say that we
must come to the gun to receive Jesus? If He had been hung would we love the rope?

Believe me, I am not being flippant. I truly do not understand this apparent reverence of the cross.

I apologize if this kind of question is innapropriate for this forum because it was not part of
the lake of fire series. If that is the case then moderators, feel free to delete this thread.
My feelings will not be hurt.

Blessing to all,

Tim

Andy_MI:
Hi Tim,

I was thinking about this first thing this morning, it was the first thing in my mind this morning so maybe this is the reason. I was shown this while ago in one of the "moments of clarity" experiences and I'll share it with you.

This is taken from Vine's expository dictionary of new testament words.

Greek word for cross it "stauros"

It denotes, primarily, an upright pale or stake. On such malefactors were nailed for execution. Both the noun and the verb (stauroo), to fasten to a stake or pale, are originally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two beamed cross. The shape of the latter had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tamuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name) in that country and in adjacent lands, including Egypt.  By the middle of the 3rd century A.D. the churches had either departed from, or had travestied, certain doctrines of the Christian faith.  In order to increase prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical system, pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols.  Hence the Tau or T, in its most frequent form, with the cross-piece lowered, was adopted to stand for the cross of Christ.


Tim, I also found it interesting the it says that the symbol's origin is from Chaldea =  Babylon

I hope this helps,

Andy

YellowStone:
Tim asked:

I wonder why Christians revere the instrument of Christ's death, the cross.
If our Lord had been shot would we wear little guns around our neck? Or say that we
must come to the gun to receive Jesus? If He had been hung would we love the rope?

Tim, this is not a flippant question at all. :)

Due to some twisted mode of thinking, they think that the cross is the symbol of God's promise of Salvation. Really? Like you say, would we wear guns or ropes instead?

It is the fact that Christ died AND was resurrected on the third day that bore our and their salvation.

Granted, they may argue the following verse:

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

But in response, one could assert that hanging a cross above the alter, or wearing one around ones neck was not what Christ was meaning.

It would then appear that the word "Cross" in this scripture could be substituted for the word "Truth." I wonder how many "christians" would tie the cross to truth.

The truth is that the cross has no place in worship.

Jhn 4:24  
* God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

1Jo 5:21
* Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Deu 7:25  
* The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold [that is] on them, nor take [it] unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it [is] an abomination to the LORD thy God.

Christ fulfilled the law, therefore even more so, we are to worship in spirit and truth and flee from physical distractions.

Great question. :)

God Bless you,

Darren

SandyFla:
Hi Tim,

I've asked myself the same question, and have come to the conclusion that Christians tend to worship the cross more than the One who died on it.  Especially in songs like "The Old Rugged Cross," which state: "I will cling to the old rugged cross" (what about clinging to Christ?) and "The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference." Preachers will also extol the virtues and power of the cross. Of course, they're thinking of Jesus, but to the listener, it seems like the cross is their end-all. They put more emphasis on the cross, as if Jesus is still there (which is something the Protestants don't like about Catholic crucifixes).

Sandy

TimothyVI:
Thanks Andy, Darren and Sandy.

I am sure happy that I am not the only one that thinks about things like that.

When I mentioned it to my wife she just acted disgusted and said that I
nit pick too much. But the Bereans were considered nobler because when
they were told something they searched the scriptures to prove it.

Tim

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