Jesus died on a cross or a stake ? What does it matter ?

Question

I have been studeing this question lately.
The JW's with good reasion say stake. A study of the Greak words use Stauros and xylon (both meaning stake,pale tree or pole) appear to confirm they are correct.
There is an arguement when Thomas asked to see the holes in Jesus hand it proved he was nailed to a cross but this arguement does not hole water because one nail can go through two hands.
My questions are -
1 What difference does it make ?
2 If the Jw's where proved beyond doubt, would the churches pull down the crosses and put up stakes ?
3 How do Crosses or Stakes fit in with 1 John 5:21
4 Seeing the cross came from the ancient Babylonians of Chalda and is the symbol for Tammuz the false messiah should Christian have them in their Churches anyway ?

A interesting scripture and yes I know it was written before Jesus ,Prophetic maybe ?Deut 21:22 &23

Answer 1

Acts 5:30 "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree." King James Version
Acts 10:39 "And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:" King James Version

When I first started studying with the Witnesses, so long ago, I didn't think it really mattered. But now-a-days I understand we want NOTHING to do with untruth or idolatry.

Great points!

I cannot seem to find it right now.. but I'm still looking. But does anyone recall which prophecy Jesus was fulfilling by being put to death "on a tree" (implying a single stake, not a "cross" shape)?

Answer 2

It matters if it isn't true! The whole idea of the cross comes from the ancient city of Babylon where all false teachings started. This is also where the idea of "3 in 1" Gods started. Many customs from there have been incorporated into "christian" religions. When I was in London several years back at The British Museum they had huge statues. One was an ancient Assyrian. He had the clothing of that time. Around his neck hung a cross. It was exactly like the cross used in some Christian churches. It clearly showed me that the cross had nothing to do with Christianity. The Greek word stauros is rendered "torture stake" because the word denotes a pole or upright stake. The book The Non-Christian Cross by John Denham Parsons states: "There is not a single sentence in any of the numerous writings forming the New Testament, which in the original Greek, bears even indirect evidence to the effect that the stauros used in the case of Jesus was other than an ordinary stauros....when rendering the Greek documents of the Church into our native tongue, and to support that action by putting 'cross' in our lexicons as the meaning of stauros without carefully explaining that, that was at any rate not the primary meaning of the word in the days of the Apostles, did not become its primary signification till long afterwards. It would be good to see more people admit this and not perpetuate a lie. I would think others would wonder what else is lied about. There is much really.

Answer 3

The stake fits in with the local history.

The cross originated from the initial 'T' of the pagan god Tammuz. How this developed into a christian icon is not recorded.

I look at it this way. If Jesus was a modern day messiah and was executed, say in an electric chair. Would his worshipers walk around with a little gold electric chair around their necks?

Or what if you walked into a church and high up on the far wall was a massive electric chair painted gold?

Seems to me the 'cross' argument epitomizes the hypocrisy in the modern so-called christian faith.

By the way. I believe in the Bible as the word of God. I simply don't believe all the crap that has been stuffed into it in recent times.

Answer 4

Good for you that you are looking at all positions on the matter.

The manner of Jesus' death doesn't truly matter in this regard. He died for our sins and presented the value of his shed blood as a ransom for mankind. Whether his blood was shed while he was hanging this one hand over the other, or with his arms outstretched doesn't really matter, does. If people were going around wearing little trees on a chain instead it would still be wrong because it would still be the use of idols.

Another study point: I do believe that the method of execution known as crucifixion was not used by the Romans until some time after Jesus' death. Do a little research on that though. I'm not 100% sure of the details. Thanks for the question and enjoy your day.

Answer 5

1. None. Jesus died for our sins. Tree, cross, stake-no matter.
2. No, the cross is symbolic of Christ's sacrificial crucifixion.
3. You have a point here. Some have made the cross an idol as they have the KJV version of the Bible.
4. No, not necessarily. The cross itself has no value-it is only symbolic. As long as we do not get carried away with a piece of wood-it should be okay.

Answer 6

The simplest fact is, that Bible Christians are expected to tell the truth and not lie. John 8:44 Lying is of the Devil. To lie about God/Bible is even worse than lying about anything else.

The BIGGEST symptom of false prophets in the Bible is that they LIE. About the Bible, about God, about Bible commands, about other religions, other nations, etc.

God only wants those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23, 24.

Very nearly everything churches teach is pagan not Bible or manmade.

And they lie about other religions and their practices/beliefs to try to "cover it up" so no one will find out.

True Christians are told they must all teach the same thing and religiously avoid other doctrine. 1 Cor. 1:10, Romans 16:17.

We are told not to take up the pagan religious practices of the nations. 1 Cor. 10:20-22, 2 Cor. 6:14-18.

Jesus is the author of eternal life ONLY to those that OBEY him. Hebrews 5:8, 9, Matthew 5:19, 12:36, 37...

Those who don't are refusing Christ himself and also God's holy spirit...an unpardonable thing. Matthew 12:31, 32.....such cannot ever be forgiven in this world or in the resurrection back to earth to learn Bible truth.

Satan is removed off earth with his demons and false religion that thousand years for the specific purpose that no one can deceive those who need to learn. Revelation 20:1-3, 4-6.

What honest person WOULD trust religions that lie about the Bible and other people? Certainly not me.

Incidentally, early US settlers tried to restore all these things and then basically Protestants went back to most of them. Also, there are many still in mainline churches that want to reform their faith to go back to these things (or many of them), but they can't get it done.

Debbie

Answer 7

Nice to have an open mind and do some research.

1. the difference is that the cross as there are many forms of crosses, are pagan in origin as you pointed out.

second on this is that Christians are not to use symbols or nick-knacks or statues, even jewelry as religious symbols of our faith. Our command is to worship God (Jehovah) (YHWH) in spirit. Our faith is then demonstrated by our actions of obedience (faith). Also our love for the christian brothers and sisters first and then others in the world.

3. As i stated above we are not to use amulets in our worship but worship in prayer which is in spirit.

Answer 8

Actually, wood was very scares back in those days leading to the thought that He would of been nailed to an Olive tree, that is if you believe in the stories. I believe the cross is only a symbol, representing the death of Christ.

Answer 9

Check this webpage to know truth about Jesus. What he claimed, what he taught and how he died? Is Jesus God or God's son? You will find all the answers with 100% accuracy.
http://www.progressive-muslim.org/who-is-jesus.htm

Answer 10

The truth is none of the above. He died of old age.