Questions tagged [cross]

The execution device upon which Jesus died.

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Crucifixion - torture stake or cross?

The Jehovah's Witnesses state that Jesus was not nailed on a cross, but on a torture stake. The New World Translation of the Bible is phrased accordingly. For example: Matthew 10:38 (NWT) And whoever ...
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24 votes
5 answers
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How did the cross come to be a symbol for Christianity?

I understand WHY the cross became a symbol for Christianity, but HOW did it become a symbol? How did it start and how did it evolve into the symbol (or symbols since there are many variants) we all ...
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Why the difference in depiction of the cross between Catholics and Protestants?

As I understand it, Roman Catholic crosses have Jesus hanging on them, but Protestant crosses do not. I understood that Protestant crosses do not because they want to focus on the Resurrection, not ...
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21 votes
4 answers
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Why isn't the cross considered an idol?

Exodus 20:1-15 ESV And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before ...
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19 votes
3 answers
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What is the reason for the absence of the Cross as a symbol in the LDS Church?

As I was looking at some references for this question dealing with the usage of the inverted pentagram in the LDS Church and particularly on the Temple in Salt Lack City, I came across an article that ...
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When did the split in crufix/empty-cross sybolism occur and why did it happen?

Today, we have Catholic and Orthodox churches (and a few others) using the crucifix, whereas most Protestant denominations use an empty cross in their symbolism. Did this difference in symbolism arise ...
El'endia Starman's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
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What is the significance of a double cross?

What is the significance of a cross with two cross-bars to Christians? Does it carry different symbolism than a normal cross?
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Trying to find information on a crucifix found whilst metal detecting

I am trying to find the age of a silver cross that I have found on a site that had a benedictine priory on it from 1149 to 1540. I believe that clues to its age are the use of a two bar Patriarchal ...
Kevin Johnstone's user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
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Why did Pope Francis say, "When we encounter the Cross, do we turn to Mary," rather than to Christ?

When we encounter the Cross, we turn to Mary: Give us the strength, Mary our Mother, to accept and embrace the Cross! —His Holiness Pope Francis Source Can anyone explain, according to ...
Elberich Schneider's user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
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Should protestants not make the sign of the Cross? [closed]

I'm not a Catholic, but I've been aware since I was little that Catholics will "Cross" themselves. Early on I felt like I shouldn't copy it as it always had been portrayed in tv/film as something ...
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Did Jesus die on the cross or on the tree?

Master Jesus was crucified on a tree, according to Apostle Peter. Acts 5:30 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Acts 10:39 39 And we are witnesses ...
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Did the Early Church believe that Jesus was crucified on a cross or on a stake?

Jehovah's Witnesses unlike any other Christian sects believe that Jesus Christ was not crucified on a cross but was instead crucified on a torture stake, did the Early Church Fathers believe that ...
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9 votes
1 answer
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Did all Popes use the inverted cross?

The above image shows Pope John Paul II sitting on a chair with an inverted cross on it. According to tradition, the inverted cross symbolizes Saint Peter. Was Pope John Paul II the only pope who ...
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What were Jesus's last words on the cross?

I've been comparing the same events written across different gospels recently, and although I was aware of the differences between the gospel accounts of Jesus's very last moments before death I ...
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How was the term 'The Cross' understood by the audience of Jesus? (Catholic perspective)

At Luke 9:23 we read : "And He said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." We also read at Galatians 16:14 "But far be it from ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
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How much did the Cross of Jesus weigh?

Catholic tradition tells us that Jesus fell three times under the weight of the cross on His way to Calvary. I wish to know if any studies based on historical evidence have been conducted by ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
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Is it known when and why Christians began to sign themselves and impart blessings with the Cross?

Among the Christians who make the sign of the cross [cf. this @fredsbend's answer], is it known when and why Christians began to sign themselves with the Cross? The best answer will also include when ...
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7 votes
2 answers
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Are there non Catholic/Orthodox churches that use a Crucifix?

Are there churches outside of the Catholic and Orthodox traditions that use a crucifix as opposed to a cross? I just watched a movie in which the main character is in a church that has a crucifix on ...
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What rules does the Catholic Church have for venerating crosses/crucifixes on Good Friday?

Each year on the Good Friday service at my parish we venerate the cross, but I really wish it were a crucifix, and I've wondered why we don't have one for that purpose. I've been trying to find one ...
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Who is Jesus referring to when he is speaking to the daughters of Jerusalem?

In the passage of Luke where Jesus is carrying the Cross, he turns and addresses the weeping women witnessing his Passion: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves ...
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6 votes
1 answer
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How do Catholic apologists explain the cross to a Muslim?

I'm an American Catholic currently living in India and teaching Communicative English to students of an Islamic school (ages 5 - 14). I am trying to live on the fence and keeping my faith promoted and ...
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How does Christianity explain suffering that ends in death?

Does suffering in this life really matter? How can suffering from natural causes be reconciled with an omnimax god? Both answers above contain the major theme of God refining us, making us more like ...
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What is the basis of the Jehovah's Witnesses' belief that Jesus died on a Stake instead of a Cross?

I understand that the Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus died on a Stake (a vertical pole) instead of a Cross. What is the basis—biblical or other—for this belief? Does history and archaeology ...
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Can a novel interpretation of John 15 be supported by art in church history?

David Thurman in his book, "From Vines to Wines in Classical Rome" writes about a very common first century practice (testified by Pliny and Columella) of establishing vineyards with a post ...
Jess's user avatar
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When did the "upside down cross" become a symbol of anti-Christianity?

When did the "upside down cross" become a symbol of anti-Christianity? I can find no mention of it in the Bible. However there is, in Christian history, the story of Peter's execution – which really ...
The Freemason's user avatar
4 votes
6 answers
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In "take up your cross daily" what does "cross" refer to?

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23) What does Jesus mean here? What kind of cross is he referring ...
Emmanuel Angelo.R's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
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What is the LDS (Mormon) view of the necessity of Jesus death and resurrection?

I heard recently in a sermon that the LDS church views Jesus' death and resurrection as almost a "blemish" on Christianity - that it was an unfortunate event, and not at all the way God planned for ...
warren's user avatar
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4 votes
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549 views

Are sins forgiven without a payment in Matthew 9:1-7?

Matthew 9:1-7 involves Jesus forgiving someone's sins. Is this forgiveness granted in light of Jesus' future sacrifice of himself on the cross? If not, how is this person forgiven of their sins since, ...
Chris Morris's user avatar
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2 answers
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What does the diagonal line near the bottom of the Eastern Orthodox Cross symbolize?

Notice the bottom of the cross, with the diagonal line. What does it represent/symbolize (if anything)?
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Jesus cried: my God, why did they hear Elijah? [duplicate]

The bible states the meaning of Jesus' words on the cross. Why then did some people take it as calling for Elijah?
Stephen Igwue's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
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Are there Christian Denominations or Movements who believe that Jesus didn't actually pay our sin debt?

I was wondering if there are any prominent or otherwise named group of Christians who believe that Jesus did away with our debt by legally canceling our debt instead of actually paying for the entire ...
Austin's user avatar
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0 answers
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The rules on how and when people can wear a cross [closed]

Which principles govern the wearing of crosses? Do some denominations require that it touch the skin, or that it never be removed? Will a cross hung on the neck and one on an ear have different ...
Aaron Brick's user avatar
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How do Catholics respond to the claims that the cross has pagan origins?

According to An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (London, 1962), W. E. Vine, p. 256. : The shape of the [two-beamed cross] had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol ...
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Was Jesus The Lamb of God or the High Priest (that offers the lamb as a sacriffice)?

Was Jesus The Lamb of God or the High Priest (whom offers the lamb as a sacriffice)? John the baptist said " Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" John 1:19 And in ...
Dare to ask-I dnt mind punishm's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
216 views

Why do Catholics portray Jesus on the Cross?

On the Crosses in Parishes, Cathedrals, Rosaries, and any other place that there is a Catholic image of a Cross, you will find Jesus on the cross. But this is not true for Eastern Orthodox or ...
Luke Hill's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
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What is the cross in the mantra "carry your own cross"?

Why did Jesus carry the cross and why did he say that everyone should take up their own cross? And what is the cross anyway?
Steve Titus's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
3k views

Relationship of Salome and Mary

Mary is the mother of Jesus. Salome is mentioned twice in Scripture. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and ...
SLM's user avatar
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Were demons afraid of the cross before the crucifixion? [closed]

Afaik, the cross is a big christian symbol because of the crucifixion of Jesus (if it was before, wow the roman were dumb to nail a prophet to a sign of his own religion) Also, Demons are usually ...
Fredy31's user avatar
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Which denominations regulate how a cross is worn on the body? [closed]

In public and private, people wear many different crosses in many manners. Which denominations hold any principles, explicit or implicit, that govern the display of crosses on the body? Speculating, ...
Aaron Brick's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
4k views

What evidence is there that Jesus died on the cross? [closed]

Inspired by How long was Jesus in the tomb?, the question could be reasonably raised "if Jesus was only in the tomb for a day and a half, can we be sure that he really died, or were the witnesses ...
Ray's user avatar
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What does modern scholarship conclude about the shape of the cross and the method of crucifixion?

I have seen a couple of articles that explain how the commonly depicted image of Jesus on the cross is not historically accurate nor physically possible. Roman Crucifixion Methods Reveal the History ...
Jonas Arcangel's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
185 views

Take your cross, how do evangelicals do this in practice - Matthew 10:38

What does picking up your cross look like practically speaking for evangelicals? What does picking up your cross mean in every day life? ——————————— I’ve read the related questions to this verse “...
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2 votes
3 answers
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Why do some Christians wear crosses? [closed]

Why do some Christians wear crosses? What is the purpose of wearing the cross? What is the point of wearing the cross with a tiny Jesus on it? Is wearing a cross with or without Jesus a violation of ...
Double U's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
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Does verse 3 of the hymn "It is Well" conflate parts of two different scriptures to come up with misleading theology?

Horatio G. Stafford wrote lyrics for the hymn that has the chorus, "It is well, it is well with my soul". It may be more quickly recognised by that chorus than its title, "It Is Well&...
Anne's user avatar
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1 answer
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To the Protestant, what is the benefit of putting a cross inside the church?

From the internet I found that : [a cross is the principal symbol of the Christian religion] I've searched in the internet, all I can find is a question about "why Catholic cross has statue ?" or "...
karma's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
156 views

From where did the tradition of erecting of three crosses around a church originate?

Apropos Ken Graham's Question of 18th August on medieval church architecture. One rarely comes across literature on the big crosses constructed around churches. For instance, you find an obelisk, a ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
283 views

Did Jesus really had to be God for the atonement of sin to work? [closed]

Since only Jesus's nature died in our place (and not his divine nature) as said by some theologians , then how can we be saved by the death of a human, how can the blood of an ordinary human save us? ...
user37330's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
40 views

What kind of five-star cross or order is worn by the priest in this Paris Notre Dame mass?

In the following YouTube video clip (Messe à Notre-Dame de Paris du 20 janvier 2019) in which it is clearly visible that the priest celebrating mass in the Paris Notre Dame is wearing some kind of ...
TomR's user avatar
  • 607
1 vote
1 answer
477 views

Did Jesus suffer on the Cross in all possible senses?

I have read that it's more or less accepted that Jesus did suffer on the cross. What I do not understand is whether or not He suffered all possible sufferings. Imagine a war hero captured and ...
Alexander's user avatar
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2 answers
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Different interpretation of salvation

I understand "knowing Jesus" as understanding Jesus who accepts the Cross, ie reasons why He did it and the suffering He took upon himself. And when I accept Him, I accept that suffering, ie ...
bono95zg's user avatar