Churches and Crosses
Some churches do not have crosses because they believe it’s a lot easier to wear a cross, hang one on a wall or nail one to the steeple, than it is to “bear” the cross. Jesus affirmed this truth when He said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). And “he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38).
To these churches, the cross is simply a symbol that identifies the Christian religion in all its varied aspects. These churches feel that believers should not put too much emphasis in this outward symbol. The stress should be on the message of the cross instead. Paul said, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
In the New Testament, the word ‘cross’ is typically used in a symbolic metaphor. It’s never used in the Bible as a physical icon. These churches say there’s nothing in the Bible that tells us that the image of the cross has any power to it. The power of the gospel is in the man that was crucified on the cross. Like Paul, they say “I’m determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
People may be caught up in superficial matters while leave the essence of Christianity and the love of God that was displayed on the cross “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Therefore, these churches teach that instead of hanging a cross on a building, the Christian should have a living experience with the Lord and declare, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
