"Sign of the Cross" symbolized what???

Question

Not a single word stated in the Bible!!! Who introduced this practice and what is his/her authority?

Answer 1

Very Good Question!!!
The sign of the cross is not commanded in any Holy Scripture. It is only from Christian cultural tradition as far back as the 4th century by the early Catholic church.
The sign can also be made with the tongue if necessary, should the sign ever need to be hidden from adversaries.
It represent our blessing in and faith in the trinity.
In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Rev. TomCat

Answer 2

Like much of Christian symbology, the cross was "borrowed." (Sixteen sixty eight, the church branded four illuminati scientists with the symbol of the cross to purge their sins, la purga.) The halo from ancient Egyptian religion of SUN worship; holy communion from the Aztecs, Christ dying for our sins from a "sacrifice" in the earliest tradition of the Quetzalalcoatl, & on & on. I wonder why it seems so difficult to accept the "evolution" of Christianty & adamantly, subjectively, interpret the bible as if these singular interpretations were the only things credible. Is it single-mindedness, pomposity, or what? As for the cross, I'm sure it goes much further back than the date I mentioned, but I haven't got it at my fingertips. I believe recent "Christians" feel it symbolizes Christ's crucification. I love (some) churches, thundering pipe organs, towering domes, stained glass, shimmering bronze & gold. Yet, the figures of Jesus on the cross, with tormented face & blood dripping on him are to me, horrifying. You should be able to get online & find the TRUE origin of the cross.

Answer 3

When Martin Luther made the sign of the cross he would say."I am baptized." No authority needs be either used or given for a gesture. The practice is ancient and not confined to one sect of Christians or another. It is first mentioned in such works as the Apostolic Constitutions of Hippolytus dating from the second century. Its earliest uses were in the sacrament of Baptism, and in practices used for spiritual healing (Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People records one such use by Wilfred, who made the sign of the cross on the tongue of a deaf mute, beginning the process which led to complete healing.) It was also used for exorcisms and as a sign of witness by those facing martyrdom. Does every single thing have to be mentioned in the Bible before you can accept any of it in your faith and practice? Can you imagine how unwieldy such a book would be? Do you need a panel of experts before you pull your drawers on in the morning?

Answer 4

Who said after every prayer you have to say "In Jesus Name"? This is the same thing as saying that. I have seen Dog the Bounty Hunter gather round with all of his buddies and pray to do this "In Jesus Name" and pray to do that "IN Jesus Name" and then run out and they bleep every other word that comes out of their mouth so I mean the fundamentalists are missing the boat as far as I am concerned too. A relationship with Jesus is much more than this don't you know? Someone said it so well when they said Catholics have a relationship with Jesus and the fundamentalists have a relationship with words.

Dear Claudia: All prayers must go through Jesus name to the Father right? Then how come you ask each other to pray for you? If they must go through Jesus name? I really agree for the most part but, there is much more to the Catholic teachings than the Protestants know or can understand. Making the sign of the cross is not even doctrine. Did you know that. It is just another way of saying in the name of Jesus who is part of the Trinity. Many Catholics just say in Jesus name without the sign of the cross. This is just another way that Protestants can desperately try to keep the hate going between their Catholic brothers and sisters and the question to ask is why? Jesus said you will know them by their fruits. Is the fruit of Protestantism hate? "You will know that they are Christians by their love" What does this last statement mean?

Answer 5

The Cross is an ancient, pre-Christian phallic symbol. Like practically every other aspect of the religion, it was appropriated by the Christians in their absorption of the earlier pagan cults. Prior to their hijacking of the cross, they used the Fish - another ancient symbol of both the male and the female generative powers. (See the "vesica piscis." The acronym ἰχθύς is just a cheap excuse for this theft.)

Now go ahead and vote me down, because you're afraid of history. Or, you can do some honest research yourself and verify everything I've said.

Answer 6

The words of the prayer "Sign of the Cross" is a Bible quote of Matthew 28:19.

I open my hand and touch my brow, and say,
"In the name of the Father"

Then I touch my heart with my hand, and say,
"and of the Son."

I touch my shoulders left and right, and say,
"and of the Holy Spirit"

I say,
"Amen."

The Sign of the Cross is
- A statement of belief in the Holy Trinity
- A statement of belief in and thanksgiving for Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross
- God blessing us
- Us Blessing God ("I will bless the Lord at all times")
- A prayer using your entire body
- A Bible quote (Matthew 28:19)

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

the cross itself symbolizes Christ dying for our sins. no matter what a human does he/she can never pay for their own sins. that is why God sent His Son Jesus to earth to die for our sin, and take the punishment for us. kinda like a friend stepping in the way of a punch when you have your hands tied behind youur back.

the cross itself really has no power. it is just a symbol, a reminder. kind of like a wedding ring. does that wedding ring have any real power in and of itself? absolutely not. it is just a reminder to someone that they are married. they have been claimed. the cross is kind of like a Christian wedding ring. it is a reminder that we are bought by Christ and we will live with him forever, but only if we ask him to forgive us all of our sins and we are truly sorry for them.

Answer 8

The Roman Catholic's Started it and it stands for : The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.

Answer 9

check out this website.

it gives you a brief description of all the cross symbols. it's pretty helpful and i think it will answer your question. it' too much information to post here and you have pictures too.

hope it helps.

http://www.designboom.com/history/cross_symbol.html

Answer 10

It symbolizes the holy trinity. Not sure who introduced it probably a Catholic since it is a man made idea. That would be my guess.