[Joshua]

The WMSCOG accuses other churches of “Idol Worship” in regards to the Cross. They seem to think that even displaying it in church is evil.

Doesn’t the Ten Commandments teach us not to bear false witness?

None of the Christian churches I have been to have ever taught us to worship the Cross. The Cross is used as a symbol to remind us of the great sacrifice that was made for us by Christ Jesus. This is commanded in the Bible.

The Bible says not to make any symbol to a false god and worship it. Make no brazen images. The Cross is a symbol for the REAL GOD and even so we do not worship it.  Now that is not to say that some people don’t cross the line on this. If someone is worshipping the Cross they need to be corrected and if we see this worship happening and we don’t help correct it then I believe we are guilty as well.  Having a Cross around also serves as a reminder that we are to love the one true God. It’s like a husband asking his wife not to love any other man. She carries a picture of her husband around with her as a reminder that he loves her. If she chose not to carry the picture she might be more easily swayed. Worse would be if she carried a picture of another man. (Jesus vs. Ahnsahnghong) This would be absolutely wrong on all counts.

Gods ways are mysterious. He uses things that we would view as vile and/or worthless to reveal his glory. He uses the stone that was disguarded by men as the Chief Corner Stone. He uses something viewed as a detestable instrument of death to reveal his glory.

Lets look at what the Bible really says about the Cross.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 Paul states that word of the Cross is the Power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:23 describes the Cross as the Wisdom of God.

Colossians 2:15 describes the Cross as the Glory of God.

 

The Cross is described as Gods Wisdom, Power, and Glory. This object is viewed by man as a detestable instrument of death that was used to kill Jesus. Only man would have such a limited view as this. Gods ways are what we are striving for. The Cross was made a symbol of Gods power by God not by man.

Many people will bring up the message of the symbol of the bronze snake. God instructed the creation of the bronze snake as a symbol to lead people to him. Men twisted it around and many started worshipping the snake instead of what it represented. In Christian churches we are taught this lesson to not worship symbols but only worship the one true God. To make the statement that other churches are “Idol worshippers” is a gross defamation of character. You shall not bear false witness.

God ordered the making of many symbols in the Bible but I think that I will save this for another post. What God has sanctified we should NEVER try to remove. His ways are not our ways. Keep the reminder of God well within view at all times. It’s a reminder of the love he has for us and a testament to the fact that we belong to him. By the way, it’s a very real possibility that the seal of God is represented by the cross. The word does reveal this if you are truly seeking.  

[Joshua]

[Joshua]

This is another great example of how our beliefs are testable. Look outside of the Bible, see if history will profess Jesus and what he did while he was alive. Seek the truth! I have another posting in here asking where are the miracles of Ahn and Zahng? You won’t find any but when you seek the truth about Jesus you will. Test these beliefs for yourself. No one can do it for you, it’s 100% up to you.

[donttrustzang]

Joshua wrote:

This is another great example of how our beliefs are testable. Look outside of the Bible, see if history will profess Jesus and what he did while he was alive. Seek the truth! I have another posting in here asking where are the miracles of Ahn and Zahng? You won't find any but when you seek the truth about Jesus you will. Test these beliefs for yourself. No one can do it for you, it's 100% up to you.

Prove to me outside the bible Jesus was born from a virgin, rode a mule, walked on water, fed 5000 people with two loafs of bread and fish(ithink) and resurected…. You can not believe he did that unless you have FAITH in what he did.

[Joshua]

Donttrustzang, I don't want to get into a round and round argument about this. I am encouraging you to research our beliefs. Many of the historical events that are claimed in the Bible can be referenced throughout history. Jesus being born of a virgin? I wasn't there and I don't know what kind of proof you want for this. If your faith is dependant on my ability to prove this kind of thing to you then you are putting your faith in the wrong place. History does speak of the feeding of five thousand. The resurection is documented in history as well. Riding a mule? It was a common thing for people to do in that time. Did Jesus do this? Probably. Please don't use this as an argument, use this as an opportunity to verify that what you are believing is right and true. Study your way out! Make your faith your own and not what someone else would tell you it should be. No one can do this for you. Our beliefs are testable. Prove it for yourself.

[Joshua]

Someone was asking what the issue is with the Cross. Maybe this post can help with the understanding and misunderstanding of the Cross.

[Sarah2013]

I still don’t see how not having a literal cross is wrong or prevents me from remembering what Jesus did for me. Same way having it doesn’t mean I am reminded. For those who are reminded of what Jesus did, it is a good thing. I am not against it. In fact, some now use it in a fashionable way with no real regard to what it is suppose to represent. Me having a whole shrine of tattoos of crosses on my body doesn’t mean I am connected or not connected to Jesus. I just choose not to. Same way if food I know has been sacrificed to idols i refuse to eat, doesn’t mean the one that is eating it is condemned. I just don’t want to eat it because of how I feel about it. Yet I don’t claim it as poison. For me kneeling in front of a cross when I pray keeps my attention on the cross and I rather my attention be in God spiritually. For others that may not be the case, so they can have all the crosses they want in their homes it is a good thing.

I have a real question, Joshua: was Jesus crucified on a tree according to Peter or on a cross according to others? I sincerely mean this question. According to what I was thought when I majored in Theology, it was on a cross. What is your finding.

[Simon]

think tree is metaphor

[Love'n Honey]

He called the cross a tree because it was made from a tree. Like when people say we're killing trees when we throw away paper. Save some for the whales when you're at the drinking fountain.

[Simon]

renita.payno wrote:

He called the cross a tree because it was made from a tree. Like when people say we're killing trees when we throw away paper. Save some for the whales when you're at the drinking fountain.

you said it much better

[Joshua]

Just a little clarification: You don't need to have a cross displayed in your house, on your church, or around your neck in order to be saved. This is not the message I tried to send by posting this. The WMSCOG has a very man made view of the Cross which has included creating a form of hatered towards it. Only man would view the Cross of Jesus Christ simply as a "implementation tool of death" and make condemning comments like, "If Jesus had been killed with an electric chair you wouldn't put that on your church or wear it around your neck." What they choose not to realize is that scripture tells us what the cross represents. What men made for bad God used for good and when God sanctifies something who are we to question it? As for the whole electric chair idea, if God had chosen that we would become redeemed because of Jesus sacrifice in the electric chair you bet we would have that on our churches and around our necks. Overall this is a trivial subject but it is a further proof of how far away the WMSCOG is from Gods Word. This is one of the characteristics of a cult. They focus on less important matters placing heavy emphasis on minor things while ignoring more important aspects. If you choose to display a Cross or choose not to display a Cross please keep this symbol in mind because of what it represents.

[genny]

Yes, Joshua, I agree.  It may seem weird at first to think about displaying an electric chair or a gun etc. if that would have been how Jesus died.  But when you stop and really think about it, yes — whatever it was would be used as a symbol because of the great thing it represents.

[Sarah2013]

I can agree with that which you have said here, Joshua. Especially on keeping the cross in mind. No doubt. I am also aware that Wmscog’s message is very flawed, starting with the idea that Ahang represents the Holy Spirit and Zhang being the one spoken of in Galatians 4:26.

[Simon]

I have to say my discomfort with crosses predates wmscog by years.

[emil]

I wonder how one would represent a brain aneurism.

[Simon]

We live in a digital age maybe a tiny lcd with an animated gif on necklaces

[emil]

Simon, you should suggest it to them. Perhaps get a copyright and collect royalty. 🙂

[Simon]

I don't want their blood money

[Love'n Honey]

I do.

[Simon]

I'd gladly take my own money back

[Sarah2013]

How humble of a statement, Simon.

[Liberty]

I kind of disagree with Joshua and Genny.

I just don't condone anything that has to do with violence. The cross was used as an instrument of torture. Knives, guns, electric chairs, whatever are meant to illicit pain and kill people.

Why would I want to go around with an image of a weapon? Maybe it's just me, but I am very uncomfortable with such things.