Sign of the Cross

[Eduard]

To begin with, it's unbiblical, and while there are later texts that encourage us to do it, the Orthodox Christian church has made the Sign too important, you have to do it before and after saying a prayer according to them and on many other occassions as well, not to mention other unbiblical practices like kissing images and crosses. That's why I despise the sign and many Orthodox unbiblical ideas and have given up on their twisted idea of faith. In the rare case when I do sign myself, I do it the Roman Catholic way, with my entire palm and then I touch it with my lips, I think it's more meaningful.


Also, the Orthodox and Catholics sometimes bicker about these things on forums like little children, sad that they cling on to their human traditions and forget the Scriptures.


What are your opinions on the sign of the cross?

[lastpost]

Please may I say this. I believe that fallen spirits, unseen here by physical eyes, intent on causing harm and bringing down others out of sheer wickedness, cower when encountering the symbol of the Cross, it causes them pain and burns them. That is one aspect, in my opinion, that comes to mind. I would also say that, in my opinion, the more wicked and evil a spirit, the more it will belittle the Cross, and would turn it upside down and mock it. Evil perverts everything good.

[ded2daworld]

It is unbiblical in the sense that there is no mention of it anywhere in the bible (making the sign with your hands or arms as opposed to the real wooden cross) Just as early magicians used latin sounding words (Abra cadabra, hocus pocus e.g.) to sound mysterious, they also made signs with the hands as if that is where the magic powers came from. People attributing power to ANYTHING other than God (Amulets, special words, making signs and passes with the hands, "special" artifacts, etc.) are all IMO idolatry.

[Molly]

Please may I say this. I believe that fallen spirits, unseen here by physical eyes, intent on causing harm and bringing down others out of sheer wickedness, cower when encountering the symbol of the Cross, it causes them pain and burns them. That is one aspect, in my opinion, that comes to mind. I would also say that, in my opinion, the more wicked and evil a spirit, the more it will belittle the Cross, and would turn it upside down and mock it. Evil perverts everything good.

You just convinced me.

Do you wear a cross, also?

[Eduard]

Like I said, I don't think the sign itself is bad, just given too much importance, and it is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible so it's just human tradition.

[jedi1989]

When the Council of Nicea took place, the Emperor Constantine borrowed the emblem of the Sun-god, the cross of light, to be the emblem of Christianity;

The same people who declared Sunday to be the Christian Sabbath, made 25thDec, which is the traditional birthday of Sun-God, as the birthday of Jesus, brought us the doctrines of trinity, inerrant Bible, infallibility of the Pope and eternal torment.

So don't get too attached to it.

[Eduard]

Which is why I base my learning on sola scriptura  :Peace2:

[lastpost]

Do you wear a cross, also?

Hi Molly,

No, I don't wear a cross. I don't mind people who do wear crosses but I do not need a cross to protect me, I have my faith in God who loves me and I try very hard to follow as best I can the Way laid down by Jesus Christ for man to follow.

I personally would be lessening my faith in God if I felt that I needed a cross to "add" protection. If I wore a cross, it would not be for protection but for some other reason. But as I said, I don't wear a cross.

There is a plain wooden cross on the outside wall of our church and a small metal cross on the altar, but these are merely to let people know that followers of Jesus Christ are here.

However, I was not thinking of this physical world and a physical cross, I was more referring to what the cross symbolises in the minds and soul-bodies of wicked spirits.

I'm sorry; I don't know how to put my opinion into words: I will use "soul body" as a definition but if that's disagreeable it can be "soul" to get my point over.

The spirits that Jesus (and His followers) "cast out" of flesh-bound humans did not have "physical" bodies and yet they had clearly and most obviously personalities and intelligence – they definitely existed, they "lived" in an environment of some description. They were real – and yet they were not "physical", they could not be seen by human eyes which see the physical, but the wicked spirits could see the soul bodies of humans.

People may not want to think about them but part of the main ministry of Jesus included them and He demonstrated that His followers include knowledge of them in their earthly journey.

I would suggest that such spirits entwined themselves with the soul bodies of those humans whose thoughts, actions and motives worked constantly against the laws of God as this then permitted an environment for their existence due to the spiritual deterioration or degradation of the soul body of the fleshly being – and this would be a further explanation of Christ's teachings about how a spirit vacating a human body and bringing back others "more wicked" is possible.

So it's not the physical cross that we humans see that I was referring to but rather the symbol in the environment in which wicked spirits exist, an environment which is created by evil itself.

[marie glen]

To begin with, it's unbiblical, and while there are later texts that encourage us to do it, the Orthodox Christian church has made the Sign too important, you have to do it before and after saying a prayer according to them and on many other occassions as well, not to mention other unbiblical practices like kissing images and crosses. That's why I despise the sign and many Orthodox unbiblical ideas and have given up on their twisted idea of faith. In the rare case when I do sign myself, I do it the Roman Catholic way, with my entire palm and then I touch it with my lips, I think it's more meaningful.


Also, the Orthodox and Catholics sometimes bicker about these things on forums like little children, sad that they cling on to their human traditions and forget the Scriptures.


What are your opinions on the sign of the cross?

I have to agree people get so wrapped up in actually meaningless things.. human beings are so prone to extremes! And instead of frivolous outward things, all would dive into the Word, how infinitely more fruitful in all things!

Most folks I know may wear a cross as a sign of their faith.. I used to wear one so people would know I was Christian, even ones I didn't have any conversation with.. When the Spirit moves us to smile, accept and love people, I figure(d) wearing a cross tells them where the love comes from. Of course now people wear or make use of a cross merely as fashion.. so I find if I wear a cross, it's perhaps to a funeral, as comfort to those who 'lost' a loved one, or something like that.
  :smile:

[rosered]

 

What are your opinions on the sign of the cross?

Dear Eduard
  the sign of  the cross has a powerful spiritual meaning ,its a sign of our salvation and awesome sacrifice , but it applies to the inner man of the heart
  just as the natural realm perverts   the truth  so has the cross been  misrepresented
and taken for granted  and treated as a  common thing
so sad , most  do alot of things that disgrace   the most holy things of God , the trampling of the outer court  senerio , we speak  and I am guilty of such in ignorance  ,  without the Knowledge of God to our own shame

Hope this helps , I found it helpful  , alot of folks focus on the wrong things  when it comes to God and not the right things , we have to change our direction as the Holy Spirt [Wisdom of God ]  guides us   into Spiritual truths and not the  truth as  mortal man calls wisdom

Spoke 22 - Sealed with the Sign of the Cross

  Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

1Cr 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  

  I am getting old and tired and  less interested in the battles of  whats  TRUTH  ,
   the Truth is what sets us free , if we  fight against the Truth [Jesus Christ ]  what hope do we have  than ?   our true freedom  comes from What God has  done for us though Jesus Christ 
its that simple and that  True 
I have a deep respect for the Cross of Christ enough to where I have taken up mine own cross as was asked by the Lord   for  us to do
  you will find opposition  on every side for   standing in your faith /cross
  It is a battle you do alone , but not really totally   alone  For God in Christ  by the Holy Spirit is with you to the end

[rosered]

To begin with, it's unbiblical, and while there are later texts that encourage us to do it, the Orthodox Christian church has made the Sign too important, you have to do it before and after saying a prayer according to them and on many other occassions as well, not to mention other unbiblical practices like kissing images and crosses. That's why I despise the sign and many Orthodox unbiblical ideas and have given up on their twisted idea of faith. In the rare case when I do sign myself, I do it the Roman Catholic way, with my entire palm and then I touch it with my lips, I think it's more meaningful.


Also, the Orthodox and Catholics sometimes bicker about these things on forums like little children, sad that they cling on to their human traditions and forget the Scriptures.


What are your opinions on the sign of the cross?

I have to agree people get so wrapped up in actually meaningless things.. human beings are so prone to extremes! And instead of frivolous outward things, all would dive into the Word, how infinitely more fruitful in all things!

Most folks I know may wear a cross as a sign of their faith.. I used to wear one so people would know I was Christian, even ones I didn't have any conversation with.. When the Spirit moves us to smile, accept and love people, I figure(d) wearing a cross tells them where the love comes from. Of course now people wear or make use of a cross merely as fashion.. so I find if I wear a cross, it's perhaps to a funeral, as comfort to those who 'lost' a loved one, or something like that.
  :smile:

I agree Marie !

  Do not wear any jewelry   ,not trying to  be  self righteous  , just  I never liked it  , I have other flaws    , a weakness for perfumes  :sigh:
I looked at those  folks with  diamonds on their attire ,
  and know that diamonds are  mostly found in Africa  , the poorest  and exploited nation   by their own goverment ,  they should be rich by them diamonds  , but  its never benefited the people   who suffer   endlessly  and die over such abuse  , its a shiny stone dug out of the ground    as are all treasures   that come out of the earth .
  for the true tresures are  found hidden in your heart that the Lord shines His Light on them  , found in each and everyone of us  when  digging into them are found  , God is truly   is the giver of all things good and perfect , its up to us to use them properly  and for the benefit of all  , not just some or a few .
  as we know the world does  misuse  many treasures  of God in the natural and spiritual  realms  for   they do not know God .

[lastpost]

the sign of  the cross has a powerful spiritual meaning ,its a sign of our salvation and awesome sacrifice , but it applies to the inner man of the heart

Thank you for this insight and the many others.

I am spoilt by Christ. I have been shown that to draw close to Him whenever I need to I can do a few of things.

One of them is to build up in my mind a picture of Him as I perceive Him, to put Him right there in front of me, a Companion, oh so close as breath. Even the thought as I type causes me to lose track of what I was saying. Should I say this?

Another way that I use to draw close to Christ is to build up a picture of a dazzling Cross of Power and sacrificial Love, as bright as the "white" of the Mount of Transfiguration episode. This form I use when I need to while I'm moving as it's more "convenient" and has more of a "pilgrim" application.

[rosered]

 
Dear Lastpost ,
so glad we agree ,   where two are 3 are gathering in His name He is in the midst of us!!  :HeartThrob:

I am spoilt by Christ. I have been shown that to draw close to Him whenever I need to I can do a few of things.

One of them is to build up in my mind a picture of Him as I perceive Him, to put Him right there in front of me, a Companion, oh so close as breath. Even the thought as I type causes me to lose track of what I was saying. Should I say this?

Another way that I use to draw close to Christ is to build up a picture of a dazzling Cross of Power and sacrificial Love, as bright as the "white" of the Mount of Transfiguration episode. This form I use when I need to while I'm moving as it's more "convenient" and has more of a "pilgrim" application.

I am glad you said it !  our Companion ,so close as Breath   amen!

     the Brilliance of His SHINING   strength love that  image of Him  in our minds eye  ,  yes indeed   
it seems to disolve all forms of the darkness within us for that moment  :dsunny:

[lastpost]

it seems to dissolve all forms of the darkness within us for that moment 

Dear Rosered,

How perceptive of you. Thank you. The things of God are simple. So refreshing, His living Being washes through the heart, soul, body, mind, He quenches the thirst as the dry wilderness springing to life with a life-giving oasis. Well it's true, it's real. All glory to the God of Ages!

[Eduard]

Thank you rosered, great post! :thumbsup:

[jbertonbounds]

Thank you for this insight and the many others.

I am spoilt by Christ. I have been shown that to draw close to Him whenever I need to I can do a few of things.

One of them is to build up in my mind a picture of Him as I perceive Him, to put Him right there in front of me, a Companion, oh so close as breath. Even the thought as I type causes me to lose track of what I was saying. Should I say this?

Another way that I use to draw close to Christ is to build up a picture of a dazzling Cross of Power and sacrificial Love, as bright as the "white" of the Mount of Transfiguration episode. This form I use when I need to while I'm moving as it's more "convenient" and has more of a "pilgrim" application.

LIKE

[rosered]

Thank you rosered, great post! :thumbsup:

  You are so Sweet Eduard ,
I am here because I love God and love my brothers and sisters   and  love sharing  with one another what the Holy Spirit teaches us   ,  :HeartThrob:
Love in Him

[Lazarus Short]

My opinion is the same as that of a Christian martyr from the Middle Ages, who when asked by the Inquisition, stated that the Cross was "two pieces of senseless stick."  His tongue was cut out for saying it before he was burned.

[jbertonbounds]

Ouch!