Hmm, Help please..??!!?

Question

Can Christians do that thing that Catholics do, where they make the cross infront of then that represents The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spririt?

Answer 1

the cross simblizes the salvation that jesus can offer us through the cross.  

Answer 2

Sure

Answer 3

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1979) states under the heading “Cross”: “Originally Gk. staurós designated a pointed, vertical wooden stake firmly fixed in the ground. . . . They were positioned side by side in rows to form fencing or defensive palisades around settlements, or singly they were set up as instruments of torture on which serious offenders of law were publicly suspended to die (or, if already killed, to have their corpses thoroughly dishonored).”

True, the Romans did use an instrument of execution known in Latin as the crux. And in translating the Bible into Latin, this word crux was used as a rendering of stau·ros′. Because the Latin word crux and the English word cross are similar, many mistakenly assume that a crux was necessarily a stake with a crossbeam. However, The Imperial Bible-Dictionary says: “Even amongst the Romans the crux (from which our cross is derived) appears to have been originally an upright pole, and this always remained the more prominent part.”

The book The Non-Christian Cross adds: “There is not a single sentence in any of the numerous writings forming the New Testament, which, in the original Greek, bears even indirect evidence to the effect that the stauros used in the case of Jesus was other than an ordinary stauros [pole or stake]; much less to the effect that it consisted, not of one piece of timber, but of two pieces nailed together in the form of a cross.” Christ could well have been impaled on a form of crux (stau·ros′) known as the crux simplex. That was how such a stake was illustrated by the Roman Catholic scholar Justus Lipsius of the 16th century.

What of the other Greek word, xy′lon? It was used in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Bible at Ezra 6:11. In the New World Translation this reads: “And by me an order has been put through that, as for anybody that violates this decree, a timber will be pulled out of his house and he will be impaled upon it, and his house will be turned into a public privy on this account.” Clearly, a single beam, or “timber,” was involved here.

Numerous translators of the Christian Greek Scriptures (New Testament) therefore translate Peter’s words at Acts 5:30 to read: “The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew, hanging him upon a stake [or, “tree,” according to the King James Version, New International Version, The Jerusalem Bible, and Revised Standard Version].” You might also wish to check how your Bible translates xy′lon at: Acts 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; and 1 Peter 2:24.

Answer 4

I have not seen protestants make that gesture, but I see no reason why we could not. I kind of like it.

Answer 5

When you refer to Christian as opposed to Catholic, I take it that you mean "born-again Christians" who are considered to be Protestants--saved by grace alone.  That is how I will respond because that is what I know; I am one.

I believe that is a tradition of men and not doctrinal but even if it were (a Catholic doctrine)...  It's not a commandment of God or Jesus so I wouldn't understand why would a non-Catholic believer want to or feel the need to do that.

I've read that it was done in the early church days in order to identify themselves to each other. (Making "the sign" on their foreheads.) However, we understand that we will be persecuted for Jesus namesake and that we should not be ashamed of the Gospel (nor who it represents nor what we have become because of Jesus and God's word).  Jesus told us to love one another and by that men would know us and know that He sent us.  Also that we would be known by our fruits--the disciples we make, the love of Christ extended through us, and our good works.  If we are in Christ and live a Christlike life, it does not seem that making "the sign of the Cross" would be necessary ESPECIALLY if we are active with public witnessing, giving personal testimony and preaching the Gospel to all nations, tongues and tribes throughout the earth.

In other words, if we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, we don't and won't have to do the "extra stuff" for anyone to know that we are followers of Christ.

Finally, we are to have faith in Christ Jesus and what He did and not faith in anything that we might do such as gestures.

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Answer 6

im a christian, my dad used to be a catholic,and we sometimes do it.   it doesnt hurt.

Answer 7

Not all Christians are Catholic, but all Catholics are Christians.

I suppose it depends on the intention of making the cross. If it is a superstitious reason, then no. God wants us to rely on Him, not our works or superstitions. If you feel driven to do so as a means of worship, then go nuts.

Answer 8

What's stopping you, peer pressure?