wht's up with the jesus fish...i never got it but i see it everywhere...what is it?
2007-01-24 16:08:47 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus used to hang out with a lot of fishermen, so the fish became an early symbol of Christianity before they used the cross
2007-01-24 16:17:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fish was a Christian symbol at least as far back as the fourth century, I think that it actually goes back to the fist century. Jesus said to Peter, ' I will make you fisher's of men' after he had Peter throw his fishing nets in one time and too many fish were in the nets to pull them into the boat.
It is said that after the Christians were being persecuted, it became a secret symbol for Christians to use to contact one another. As one was standing somewhere talking to another person, he would draw half of the symbol with his foot. If the other person would respond by drawing the other half, they would know that they were both Christian. That is until the Roman authorities became aware of it. Then the persecutions began anew, with imposters posing as Christians inviting others to complete the symbol as if in secret.
2007-01-25 00:22:35 · answer #2 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus, when talking to Peter, asked him, "Do you love me more than these?" talking about the fact that Peter had returned to his fishing business and walked away from the God's business of "fishing" for men. Some people actually use the fish symbol much as they use the cross--to adorn themselves as Christians rather than to behave in such a way that it becomes evident to all those around them by their actions and words.
2007-01-25 01:27:38 · answer #3 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the early days of Christianity, due to persecution by King Herod and others, the sign of the fish was used by christians to communicate with each other. It was used to mark the home of where the next meeting would be held etc. Christianity started out in a very hostile environment.
2007-01-25 00:24:39 · answer #4 · answered by Country girl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The original fish symbol was a visual shorthand in the early church. In Greek, fish is "ichthus" (actually five letters in Greek). That's also an acronym for "Iesous CHristos, THeou Uios, Soter" ("Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior"). In the time of persecution, it was an innocuous indicator of a house where Christians gathered.
2007-01-25 00:49:49 · answer #5 · answered by skepsis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It pertains to Matthew 4:19 - And he saith unto the, Folow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
2007-01-25 00:14:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋