The Cross

The (cross) on which our saviour was put to death was actually an upright pale. Not a two beamed 'cross'. The Greek word is 'stauros' and always meant an upright pale. The Latin word 'crux' was not the word used in the in the New Testament.
The shape of the two beamed cross had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was the symbol for the god Tammuz. So, as one can see, the symbol of the cross had its roots in ancient paganism.


The Cross and Crucifixion -from Bullinger's Companion Bible ap. 162


("In the Greek N.T. two words are used for "the cross" on which the Lord was put to death


(1) The word "stauros"; which denotes an upright pale or stake, to which criminals were nailed for execution


(2) The word "Xulon", which generally denotes a piece of a dead log of wood, or timber, for fuel or for any other purpose. It is not like "dendron", which is used of a living or green tree, as in Matt 21:8, Rev 7:1,3: 8:7, 9:4 &c


As this latter word "xulon" is used for the former "stauros", it shows us that the meaning of each is exactly the same.


Our English word "cross" is the translation of; the Latin "crux"; but the Greek "stauros" no more means a "crux" than the word "stick" means a "crutch".


The letter Chi, X, the initial of the word Christ (Xploros), was originally used for His name.....


These crosses were used as symbols of the Babylonian sun-god, and are first seen on a coin of Julius Caesar, 100-44 B.C., and then on a coin struck by Caesar's heir. (Augustus), 20 B.C.")

Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary- cross


("noun. "Stauros" 4716 denotes, primarily, "an upright pale or stake." On such malefactors were nailed for execution. Both the noun and the verb "stauroo", to fasten to a stake or pale, are oridinally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two beamed "cross." The shape of the latter had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name) in that country and in adjacent lands, including Egypt. By the middle of the 3rd century the churches had either departed from, or had travestied, certain doctrines of the Christian faith. In order to increase the prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical system pagans were recieved into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the Tau or T, in its most frequent form, with the cross-piece lowered, was adopted to stand for the "cross" of Christ.)


"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,...."
Many seem to want something to help them in their worship of God. A physical object to remind them of God. Yet isn't that exactly what is forbidden in this commandment? This commandment is not speaking of idols. That was taken care of in the first commandment. This one has to do with AIDS to worship, such as pictures, or the symbol of the cross. Besides the cross is an ancient pagan symbol as we have seen in the references shown. And certainly God does not want us to worship Him in that way.


John 4:23
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth."