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We believe that the symbol of the cross does not have it's roots in Christianity. The instrument that Jesus was executed on is described in the original Greek language as 'stauros' which means pole or stake. Many Bible commentators who are not Jehovah's Witnesses recogize that the word 'stauros' does not mean an instrument that has a crossbar, but rather it depicts an upright pole. The word 'crux' which menas cross, does not appear until it was added by Bible translators several hundred years after Jesus death.
The International Standard BibleEncyclopedia (1979) states under the heading "Cross": "Originally Gk. staurós designated a pointed, vertical wooden stake firmly fixed in the ground. . . . They were positioned side by side in rows to form fencing or defensive palisades around settlements, or singly they were set up as instruments of torture on which serious offenders of law were publicly suspended to die (or, if already killed, to have their corpses thoroughly dishonored).
The origion of the cross in religious devotion actually comes from pre-christian pagan religion.
The ancient Persians, Assyrians, and Babylonians all used the cross in their worship of various gods. Chambers'sEncyclopaedia, (1969 edition) says that the cross "was an emblem to which religious and mystical meanings were attached long before the Christian era."
The earliest christians in the first century did not use the cross in their worship. During the early days of Christianity, it was the pagan Romans who used the cross. TheCompanion Bible states: "These crosses were used as symbols of the Babylonian sun-god . . . and are first seen on a coin of Julius Caesar, 100-44 B.C., and then on a coin struck by Caesar's heir (Augustus), 20 B.C." The Roman nature-god Bacchus was at times represented with a headband containing a number of crosses.
We do not use any symbols or idols in our worship. The Bible strickly forbids the veneration of any idols.(1 Corinthians 10:14) Also consider this reasoning: If a good friend of yours was executed on false charges, would you make a symbol of the weapon or instrument used to execute him, put images of it in your home, wear it as jewelry, adore and worship it? It makes no sense. Our good friend, Jesus Christ was executed on false charges 2000 years ago. We do not venerate the cross or any other smbol of any instrument that may or may not have been used in that execution.
What else can I help you with?
Have the jehovahs witnesses always believed that jesus died on a stake as opposed to a cross?
No, according to the publication "Jehovah's Witnesses Porclaimers of God's kingdom" pub. 1993 p. 200:"For years, Bible Students wore a cross and crown as a badge of identification, and this symbol was on the front cover of the "Watch Tower" from 1891 to 1931. But in 1928 it was emphasized that not a decorative symbol but one's activity as a witness showed he was a Christian. In 1936 it was pointed out that the evidence indicates that Christ died on a stake, not a two-beamed cross."
Do the mormons believe that jesus died on a pole instead of a cross?
No, Mormons believe that Jesus was crucified on a cross, just like most other Christians. Mormons believe and study the Bible throughly, so the accounts there are what we believe. Mormons dont however use the cross as a religious symbol like many other religions... Perhaps you are thinking of the Jehovah's Witnesses? They do not believe that Jesus died on a cross.
Why dont jehovahs witnesses have crucifix in their homes?
We don't engage in relic worship or honor the murder weapon that took Jesus life. He wasn't executed on a cross either, but on a stake.
Why do Jehovah's witnesses call the cross a stake?
Jehovah's Witnesses see the cross as a pagan symbol and believe that it was an upright stake with no crossbeam that Jesus was nailed to. Actually, even though many people have not been taught this by their religious system, the word 'cross' is not in the original Greek Bible manuscripts. The word 'stake' or 'tree' is in the Greek manuscripts. Thus Jehovah's Witnesses use the word 'stake', because that's the actual word in the Bible.
In Athens there was no public prosecutor and cross-examination of the was not allowed?
Witnesses
Does the Methodist church display the crucifix?
A crucifix is a religious symbol of Jesus hanging on a cross. Methodists believe that Jesus did die on the cross, and know that there are indeed depictions of Jesus on the cross, but they do not use the crucifix as their own symbol.
Is it true that Muslims don't like the cross symbol?
Muslims don't like the cross symbols because they don't believe that Jesus died on the cross so they appove of crosses.
What does pentcostal believe?
We believe in Acts 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. We also believe in the rapture and taht Jesus Christ died on a CROSS. Jehova Witnesses believe that Jesus died on a stake but we believe that he died on a CROSS
Does a cross bless your home?
A cross can serve as a symbol of protection and faith for those who believe in Christianity. It is commonly used as a way to invoke blessings upon a home and its inhabitants.
What is the cross warning symbol?
a cross
Why does Charles Taze Russell's grave have a cross on it?
No, Russell's grave does not have a cross on it; however, a few years after Russell died, Joseph Rutherford authorized the building of a pyramid monument in honor of God's witness in Egypt. (Isaiah 19:19) The pyramid monument does have a cross on it. Nevertheless, that pyramid monument is not a grave or tomb; no one is buried in or under that monument.Unlike the later Jehovah's Witnesses, Russell had no objection to using the cross as a symbol of Jesus' death, as well as a symbol of the suffering and sacrifice of the Joint-Heirs.The vast majority of the Bible Students, however, did not become Jehovah's Witnesses; by 1928, more than 75% of the Bible Students had rejected Rutherford's "Jehovah's visible organization" dogma; they did not become part of the JW organization, nor did they take the name "Jehovah's Witnesses". Bible Students to this day continue to use the cross and crown symbol, whereas Rutherford, in 1936, led the Jehovah's Witnesses into rejecting its use with the claim that Christ died on an upright stake or a tree.
Where did the red cross symbol come from?
The Red Cross symbol was derived from the symbol of a red cross on a white background on the reverse of the Swiss flag. It represented neutrality.
