Before the Crucifixion, Did the Cross Have Any Significance to Christians?

Question

Am I true in saying that the Cross only became significant to Christians after Jesus was crucified?

Answer 1

Yes; it became a symbol for Christianity. The Greek flag has a cross emblazoned upon it. this is attributed to the fact, that the New Testament of the Holy Bible was written originally in the Greek language. Prior to Jesus's murder, the cross was an implement of slow, painful, torturous death. The cross or crucifix used by the Romans for execution was initially a Phoenician invention. The cross focuses the Christian's mind-set towards the meaning for their lives now and the one to come.

Answer 2

There is more proof that the instrument used to kill Jesus was a simple stake, not a two- beamed "cross". The Egyptians used the "Ankh", which is basically a cross except with a loop on top, long before the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. Not coincidentally, one of the main offenses the Israelites committed against God was worship of false gods and idolatry, no doubt much of which came from Egypt. Even if it was a "cross" that killed Jesus, there are two very good reasons why it SHOULDN'T be significant to Christians;
1. A cross is an idol. The second commandment says not to make a graven image of ANYTHING, ANYWHERE. I'm pretty sure a two- beamed torture device is included in that category.
2. It was a murder weapon! What if Jesus had been executed by guillotine? Or a sword? Would churches still have one atop the steeple? Would people still wear them around their necks?

Answer 3

Hello. The crucifixion or Jesus' death on the cross took on more significance following His death and subsequent resurrection. However, the old testament looked to the time when Jesus would be the sacrifical lamb, the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Remember what Isaac asked his father as he went up Mt. Moriah to sacrifice him before God? Isaac asked where is the lamb for the sacrifice, and Abraham said "God will provide for Himself a lamb". Jesus was the lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world. Now the cross is what we glory in because God brought salvation through it and thus defeated satan by it. So it's not quite correct to say it became significant only after He was crucified, for it was foretold thousands of years before hand. In the Old testament they looked to it, and in this New Testament dispensation we look back at it. Jesus paid it all. Do you accept it?

Answer 4

The cross was a symbol of eternal life in ancient Egypt. The Chi-Rho (St. Andrews Cross with a P superimposed) stood for "Chrestus," or "Good," which was applied to a host of Solar deities (Apollo, Sol Invictus, Helios, etc.). The cross also represented the course of the sun through the solar year.

However, during the reign of the Romans, the conventional Christian cross inspired fear and anxiety due to the extremely horrible death that it represented. Crucifixions were not depicted in Roman art until well after the practice had been abandoned.

Answer 5

No. The crucifixation was a common form of punishment for blasphemer's. which is why Jesus said," let this cup pass before me." He was praying at the time to his father. His worry was that it would be to much of a disgrace, for the son of God to be killed in such a way. Charged with blasphemy and pinned up for all to see. just a footnote, the crucifixion was really just a steak pole not 2 pieces of lumber crossed together. History and artifacts confirm this. although the church will deny it.

Answer 6

There were no Christians before Jesus was crucified.

Answer 7

The cross didn't really become a symbol of Christianity for a few hundred years. The fish was one of the earlier symbols to appear on the catacombs.

Of course the cross is an ancient phallic symbol.

Answer 8

"Christianity" didn't exist until after the cross. Followers of Jesus were not called Christians until some time afterward.

Answer 9

I guess so. The cross would probably be like any old electric chair today. They were only used to kill criminals and it was a special crucifixion for Jesus because he did nothing wrong but the Jews thought he did and they hated him for going against taxes and against "blasphemy".

Answer 10

Before the Crucifiction, and a good while after, there was no such thing as "Christians", only Jews who believed Jesus was the one they were waiting for. "Christianity" doesn't develop until years after.