Catholics,where does it say in the Bible about doing the sign of the cross?

Question

Is this a man made ritual or does it tell you in the bible(something else man made)?

Answer 1

From Wiki:
The Christian custom of gesturing the sign of the cross was originally with the right hand thumb and across the forehead only. The custom originated during the second century.

Around year 200 in Carthage (modern Tunisia, Africa), Tertullian says: "We Christians wear out our foreheads with the sign of the cross". It is thought that, by the end of the second century Christians signed the cross on their forehead before taking any risk, such as embarking on a journey.

Paul wrote that the cross was the only thing he could boast about. Galatians 6:14: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

As your question indicates, you recognize that the Bible is man-made, the work of early Christians. The sign of the cross is another work of early Christians, within 100 years of the writing of the Bible.

Did you know that when you cross your fingers, you are making the sign of the cross?
http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/fingers-crossed.html

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

Just as some Christians conclude a prayer, "in Jesus' name," Catholics pray in the name of the Divine Trinity, or the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is, the sign of the Cross (which also reminds us of Jesus redemptive sacrifice at Calvary) is done in the name of the Father (starting on our forehead), the Son (from the forehead down to our heart), and the Holy Spirit (as we complete the signing with a horizontal movement across our chest.)

Why anyone would be opposed to the sign of the cross is beyond me.

Answer 3

The sign of the cross is a prayer that catholics do. It doesn't say anything about it in the bible, but most prayers that people say don't.

Answer 4

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)

In French: Au nom du père, Et du fils, Et du Saint-Esprit. Amen.
In Latin: In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
In Spanish: En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén.

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

Where does it say in the Bible the word `Rapture` or the phrase,` once saved always`s saved`?
The sign of the cross is the Catholic respect shown to the Holy Trinity and is part of Catholic tradition,so who are you to say it is wrong?

Answer 6

not sure where in the bible, but i personally have my own funny self explanation for the sign of the cross.

to connect to god in prayer (much like calling him on the phone) we do the sign of the cross as Jesus is our alleged "bridge" to him (much like dialing the phone number)

Answer 7

The same place where it talks about praying to "Holy Mary Mother of God", believing in "one holy catholic and apostolic church", the apostles, various saints, and the pope. For props, you have the cross, lighting candles, and the rosary. Then there is supposedly god at top, but to get to god, you need to go through a middle man named Jesus. If you do everything correctly, you will be filled with this thing called the holy spirit, and if you do not do it correctly, it's burning in hell for eternity.

So would a god, supposedly perfect, make all that crazy stuff up to get people to worship him?

Answer 8

Making the sign of the cross is a devotion....it is not part of the deposit of Faith.

http://www.call2holiness.org/ScriptureAlone/ScriptureAlone.htm
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Answer 9

Where in the Bible does it say bible or Trinity or Incarnation??

Answer 10

All of Christianity is man-made.