Is the cross an idol? Or is it just a symbol for remembrance? I've heard comments from friends on both and thought I would get a larger Christian group's comments. I have crosses on my wall but am considering removing them. Thanks!
I agree with the comment on the intention of the cross. The Catholics; in particular like to venerate the cross as an image of perpetual suffering as though Christ is still suffering; rather than it being finished at Calvary. They also somehow thing they can suffer as Christ did because of the whole concept of the "stigmata" or so called marks of those suffering wounds as Christ did.
Viewed as the scripture stated in the book of Numbers 21:8-9; there was a foreshadowing of Christ on the cross taking on the curse to heal the people. Galatians 3:13 repeats the verse in Deuteronomy 21 about anyone being "cursed" who hangs on a tree.
The bigger problem is the depictions of Christ on the cross or any other imagery as He is God in the flesh; i.e. part of the Godhead. The O.T. made it clear that we were not to make an image of anything to represent God.
We also need to realize that the Resurrection accomplished the victory over death; which was also needed so that Christ could be the first of the firstfruits; so to speak. He now is acting as our High Priest in heaven as the Book of Hebrews indicates; "ever interceding for us". ( Heb. 7:25). Christ is part of the eternal Godhead. Hence; He had to overcome even death. The victory occured at the moment he died when He said "it is finished". As soon as He passed from this earth; His soul went to the underworld to preach to those souls in Sheol; and to set the captives free. He created the heaven and earth hence hell had no suffering or hold on Him as some suggest. The souls of the rightous were freed from Sheol; and in fact many came out of their graves and appeared to the many after He rose from the dead. They would have been Resurrected to heaven at that time as part of the firstfruits as I see it; but it was only some that rose; others will be yet future.
As long as the whole counsel of scripture guides us a cross I believe is ok; it is when we idolize the image we get into trouble.
Jesus told them the only sign would be as Jonah, 3 days and 3 nights, but He confirmed the brass serpent was a foreshadowing as in John 3:14 and when He told them "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he", John 8:28. My understanding and something to consider is it points to Matthew 27:50-54 when Jesus cried out the last time is when all these things happened.
The veil of the temple was rent, and the earthquake, and the rocks rent, and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. The Greek word egersis, translated as resurrection here, is the only place in the NT it was used.
It means waking up, as from sleep, a rousing or rising up from passing out that I am sure Jesus did several times, but this last time when He cried out just before He died, all these things happened to show they have just killed the Messiah, the Son of God as verse 54 confirms all this happened when Jesus revived and cried out.
Death could not hold Jesus because He was without sin, Acts 2:24 and when God resurrected Jesus Jesus was victorious over death and is the Firstfruits of those that slept. We were slaves/servants of sin, in captivity, Jesus broke the bounds and led the captivity of sin, Rom. 6:6, and took us captive to Himself, Eph 4:8. He freed us from that enslavement or captivity to sin and when we are resurrected, we can say 1 Cor. 15:52-57.
In John 3:13, John wrote this after Jesus ascended, we see that for what John said Jesus was in heaven when John wrote this. Also, we see what Paul wrote, David has not ascended to heaven, Acts 2:29, 34, you would think if Jesus took people to heaven, He would have taken David.
The cross is an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. instrument of crucifixion)
[The "cross" Mark 8:34 is not a symbol for suffering in general. Rather it refers to withstanding persecution (difficult times), by the Lord's power, as He directs the circumstances of life. As Christ's disciples, believers are to hold true - even when attacked by the ungodly.]
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
The cross is a symbol for Christ followers , used figuratively for the (sacrifice) each believer bears to be a true follower .
Viewed as the scripture stated in the book of Numbers 21:8-9; there was a foreshadowing of Christ on the cross taking on the curse to heal the people. Galatians 3:13 repeats the verse in Deuteronomy 21 about anyone being "cursed" who hangs on a tree.
The bigger problem is the depictions of Christ on the cross or any other imagery as He is God in the flesh; i.e. part of the Godhead. The O.T. made it clear that we were not to make an image of anything to represent God.
We also need to realize that the Resurrection accomplished the victory over death; which was also needed so that Christ could be the first of the firstfruits; so to speak. He now is acting as our High Priest in heaven as the Book of Hebrews indicates; "ever interceding for us". ( Heb. 7:25). Christ is part of the eternal Godhead. Hence; He had to overcome even death. The victory occured at the moment he died when He said "it is finished". As soon as He passed from this earth; His soul went to the underworld to preach to those souls in Sheol; and to set the captives free. He created the heaven and earth hence hell had no suffering or hold on Him as some suggest. The souls of the rightous were freed from Sheol; and in fact many came out of their graves and appeared to the many after He rose from the dead. They would have been Resurrected to heaven at that time as part of the firstfruits as I see it; but it was only some that rose; others will be yet future.
As long as the whole counsel of scripture guides us a cross I believe is ok; it is when we idolize the image we get into trouble.
Agape.
Jesus told them the only sign would be as Jonah, 3 days and 3 nights, but He confirmed the brass serpent was a foreshadowing as in John 3:14 and when He told them "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he", John 8:28. My understanding and something to consider is it points to Matthew 27:50-54 when Jesus cried out the last time is when all these things happened.
The veil of the temple was rent, and the earthquake, and the rocks rent, and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. The Greek word egersis, translated as resurrection here, is the only place in the NT it was used.
It means waking up, as from sleep, a rousing or rising up from passing out that I am sure Jesus did several times, but this last time when He cried out just before He died, all these things happened to show they have just killed the Messiah, the Son of God as verse 54 confirms all this happened when Jesus revived and cried out.
Death could not hold Jesus because He was without sin, Acts 2:24 and when God resurrected Jesus Jesus was victorious over death and is the Firstfruits of those that slept. We were slaves/servants of sin, in captivity, Jesus broke the bounds and led the captivity of sin, Rom. 6:6, and took us captive to Himself, Eph 4:8. He freed us from that enslavement or captivity to sin and when we are resurrected, we can say 1 Cor. 15:52-57.
In John 3:13, John wrote this after Jesus ascended, we see that for what John said Jesus was in heaven when John wrote this. Also, we see what Paul wrote, David has not ascended to heaven, Acts 2:29, 34, you would think if Jesus took people to heaven, He would have taken David.
Just some thoughts.
God bless,
RLW
The cross is an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. instrument of crucifixion)
[The "cross" Mark 8:34 is not a symbol for suffering in general. Rather it refers to withstanding persecution (difficult times), by the Lord's power, as He directs the circumstances of life. As Christ's disciples, believers are to hold true - even when attacked by the ungodly.]
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
The cross is a symbol for Christ followers , used figuratively for the (sacrifice) each believer bears to be a true follower .
An idol is an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship.
Idolatry is an extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone:
The key word here is worship.
I hope this helps.
God bless.
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