The cross, as a symbol, holds a significant presence in modern culture, often seen in gestures by athletes or as jewelry and car ornaments. Its origins, however, trace back to ancient times, at least 1,500 years before Christ, where it was revered in nearly every ancient religion except Judaism and Islam. The tau, the original form of the letter T, represents the initial of Tammuz, a sun god also known as Nimrod, and was a prominent symbol in pagan beliefs. This symbol was later incorporated into the practices of the so-called Christian church, reflecting a wholesale addition of pagan elements rather than a mere blending of beliefs. The New Testament describes the instrument of Jesus' death with two Greek words: xulon, meaning tree, as seen in references like Acts 5:30 where Peter speaks of Jesus being hanged on a tree, and stauros, meaning a stake, which is almost always translated as cross despite its primary definition as an upright pale or stake. Historical sources note that the two-beamed cross shape originated in ancient Chaldea as a symbol of Tammuz, and by the mid-3rd century AD, it was adopted to represent the cross of Christ as pagan symbols were retained within the churches to increase their prestige. The connection of the cross to anything biblical remains tenuous, rooted deeply in pagan origins.

The New Testament authors describe Jesus as crucified on a stauros, understood as a pole or stake. However, the traditional cross is depicted as a stake with a cross-member, resembling the ancient letter tau. God hates idolatry and has commanded against the worship of images or likenesses of anything. Just as the Israelites wrongly worshipped the bronze serpent made by Moses, focusing on a tangible object rather than God, so too does the symbol of the cross become an object of misplaced reverence. Despite some viewing it as a reminder of Jesus Christ, it holds no biblical connection to the true Son of God. Displaying or wearing a cross places one at odds with God, who declares Himself a jealous God and forbids such practices.

The Romans, who crucified Christ, used instruments of various shapes for crucifixion, including upright timbers and poles with crosspieces attached at or near the top. The Greek word "stauros," translated as cross in the New Testament, fundamentally means stake or pole and was applied to pieces of wood of diverse forms, including those with crosspieces. Other biblical writers refer to the instrument of Christ's death as a tree, as seen in Acts 5:30, which states that Jesus was murdered by hanging on a tree, and in Acts 13:29-30, where it is noted that they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. Peter also writes of Jesus bearing our sins on the tree, as mentioned in I Peter 2:24. Under time constraints, such as during Jesus' trial and crucifixion, the Romans are known to have used living trees as stauron for crucifixions. The specific shape of the stauros on which Christ died is not described, suggesting that the form of the wood is less significant than the sacrifice itself. The prominence of the traditional cross in pagan religious customs should prompt reflection.

Long before the coming of Christ, pagans used the cross as a religious symbol, with many variations existing in the ancient world. According to historian Alexander Hislop, Tammuz, associated with Babylonian mystery religions, had as his initial the Babylonian letter T, represented as a cross identical to those used in Christianity today. The word "cross" in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word "stauros," which originally meant an upright stake, not a cross, used for torture or execution. The Bible does not specify the exact method of crucifixion used for Jesus Christ, leaving uncertainty about the precise form of the stake on which He died. Furthermore, it is questionable whether it is appropriate to use the instrument of His death as an emblem of faith, considering if other tools of execution would be similarly adopted as symbols. Satan the devil, aware long before Jesus was born that He would die by crucifixion, made the cross a popular symbol of worship to deceive the world. God instructs His followers to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, forsaking false, pagan symbols including the cross.

The cross stands as the most significant and sacred symbol within mainstream Christianity, adorning Bibles, church signs, altars, and rooftops. Many church buildings are designed with floor plans shaped like the cross, and it is worn around devotees' necks on chains or kissed in times of distress. Globally, it ornaments the walls of Catholic churches, homes, hospitals, and schools, and is widely idolized across various groups. Despite its prominence, historical evidence reveals the cross as a symbol of pagan origin from antiquity, used centuries before Christ walked the earth. It was associated with the false savior Tammuz and honored as a religious symbol in Assyria and Babylon over 800 years before the Christian era, as seen on their oldest monuments. The cross spread to Egypt, India, China, and across Africa, taking on various forms among different religions and tribes, and was a sacred symbol in many ancient cultures long before Christianity. In ancient times, the cross also served as an instrument of death through crucifixion, used as punishment for serious crimes in regions like Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Palestine, Carthage, Greece, and Rome. Early Christians did not view the cross as a virtuous symbol but rather as an accursed tree, a device of death and shame. Their faith rested in what was accomplished through Christ's sacrifice, not in the cross itself. The use of the cross as a symbol did not appear among Christians until the time of Constantine, three centuries after Christ's death, and it was not until much later—around the 5th century AD—that it became integrated into Christian practice through the influence of the Roman Catholic Church. Crosses in churches were introduced in 431 AD, and their use in private homes was mandated in 449 AD, while crosses on steeples emerged around 586 AD. There is no evidence that God's true church ever used the cross symbol for any purpose, focusing instead on the One who suffered and what He accomplished.

The cross, as a symbol, carries profound significance for followers of Christ, though its origins and usage warrant careful consideration. It has been a religious emblem since long before the crucifixion of Jesus, originating in Babylonian mystery religions as a symbol of the god Tammuz, and was found among numerous pagan tribes. It did not become associated with nominal Christianity until centuries after the crucifixion, during the time of Constantine. The Scriptures refer to the cross metaphorically, but the true church never employed it physically. Additionally, the exact nature of what Jesus died on remains uncertain, as the Greek word "stauros" translates to a stake or upright pole, possibly with or without a crossbeam, and some scriptures suggest He was hung on a living tree rather than dead wood. The use of physical representations like the crucifix in worship is forbidden by the second commandment, which prohibits any image or likeness in the worship of God, regardless of intent. Nominal Christianity, however, has memorialized the pagan cross and venerates the means of Jesus' death through such images, turning it into a good-luck charm, despite Hebrews 12:2 stating that Jesus despised the shame of the cross. Jesus' instructions about taking up or bearing one's stauros clearly indicate no association with a physical crucifix, instead pointing to a broader concept of surrender and sacrifice that cannot be reduced to a mere icon. For the Jews under Roman rule, seeing a man carrying a stauros meant his life was essentially over, symbolizing complete surrender. When Jesus instructed His followers to take up their crosses, He meant for them to consider themselves as already dead, surrendering their lives to His control. This metaphor illustrates the encumbered life of a disciple, burdened by the weight of their calling, much like a heavy crossbeam hinders mobility. Jesus' teachings emphasize denying oneself, renouncing personal desires for the life He offers, and crucifying the carnal nature daily, a process that begins at baptism and continues until death. The cross of Christ symbolizes not only what the crucifixion produced but also His example of self-denial and losing His life for a greater purpose. To those perishing, the message of the cross—complete surrender—is foolishness, yet to those being saved, it is the power of God. Nominal Christianity often appreciates what the cross produced but resists the personal cost of following His example of surrender. However, for those who embrace this message, carrying their burdens until death, there is no greater power, as seen in God raising Jesus to life and placing all things under Him. This message of the cross calls for a response of self-denial and complete surrender, reckoning oneself dead to this present age to live for Him.

Jesus voluntarily gave His life for us on the stake, setting the ultimate example of bearing one's cross. He challenged and demanded that His followers do the same, as seen in Matthew 16:24, where He states, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Luke 9:23 emphasizes that we must take up our cross daily, making it an ongoing act of commitment. In Luke 14:27, Christ teaches that if we are not bearing our cross daily, we are not His disciples. Paul reinforces this in Philippians 3:10, stating that knowing God involves being conformed to Christ's death. Though the practice of crucifixion ended centuries ago, bearing our cross remains relevant through sacrificing the self. Jesus' crucifixion was foreordained, and He willingly laid down His life, enduring immense pressure and stress, as evidenced by His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. His sacrifice cost Him everything—life, title, rank, privileges, comforts, security, and power—setting the standard for us. Paul calls us to be living sacrifices in Romans 12:1, echoing the call to bear our cross moment by moment, day by day. This involves denying ourselves, as Jesus instructed, and sacrificing personal rights or desires for the sake of others, whether in small daily acts or significant life choices. Carrying our cross also means being willing to suffer persecution and even die for Christ. Throughout history, many of God's people faced severe trials, from being crucified or torn apart by lions to enduring torment during the Crusades and the Inquisition. We must be prepared for such challenges, praying for strength and conviction not to deny our Lord, and to rejoice in persecution for His sake, knowing that great is our reward in heaven, as taught in Matthew 5:11-12. Jesus soberly teaches in Luke 9:24 that whoever loses his life for His sake will save it, reminding us of the eternal purpose behind bearing our cross.

More common than the nativity scene in mainstream Christian worship is the depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. God clearly bans the use of any image in the worship of Him, as recorded in the second commandment in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8, which prohibits making any carved image or likeness of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the water under the earth. The only physical medium in which God has chosen to reveal Himself to us is language, specifically His Word. Just as a nativity scene reduces Jesus to a mere infant, crucifixes reduce Him to a suffering, dying man, diminishing the spiritual significance of the events to a purely physical level. A person can never understand God through an image or representation, for to make an image of God is to reduce Him to physical attributes we can sense. God's love, mercy, power, and His many other attributes cannot be depicted through images, and attempting to do so reduces God to the level of man, creating an idol conceived from our own physical sensations. Through such images, the world has reduced God and His power to their own level, removing understanding of and respect for His authority.

The symbol of the cross, often depicted as a T-shaped implement in portrayals of crucifixion, has been a subject of much discussion. Our English Bible translations state that Jesus died on a cross, with the original Greek word used being "stauros," which some experts define as a simple stake, pole, or post. Various sources, including Strong's Concordance and Vine's Expository Dictionary, suggest that the implement could have been an upright beam rather than the traditional cross shape known today. However, the exact shape remains unimportant as both forms, with or without a crossbar, appear in pagan symbolism. It is clear that the cross as recognized today resembles symbols used by worshipers of Tammuz, and it should not be incorporated into worship. Despite this, the greater issue remains that our Savior endured a horrific death on a stauros or cross for our sake, highlighting the profound sacrifice He made.

The recognized symbol of Christianity today is the cross, the murder weapon of the Messiah, assimilated from pre-Christian paganism and assumed to be an acceptable token. Yet, even a superficial reading of the Bible shows that God expresses great displeasure with worship aids He calls idols, because they essentially replace Him or falsely represent Him in the minds of those who use them. People assume that He accepts such a symbol, and woe to anyone who dares to state otherwise. Little thought, if any, is given to how God views the traditions and means that men have adopted to worship Him. Few consider whether the adoration aimed at Him is fitting or well-received.

The cross, as a symbol, carries profound significance in the journey of faith. It represents two essential aspects of the Christian walk. On one hand, it stands as the instrument of death on which Jesus was impaled due to mankind's sin, reminding us that sin is a constant presence we must bear under. On the other hand, it symbolizes any trial or difficulty that may arise as a result of following God's way of life. There are moments in a believer's life, whether at the beginning or later on, when adhering to this path may not seem beneficial, and if vision is lost, obedience may wane, allowing sin to reenter. Yet, God assures through His Word that patient endurance over the long haul will lead to a better life both now and in the future, affirming that bearing one's cross is integral to being worthy of Him.

In the context of following Christ, the symbol of the cross represents self-denial. It stands distinct from the general burdens of life that everyone faces or the personal afflictions that may affect individuals uniquely. The cross specifically applies to challenges and sacrifices that arise directly from being a Christian. As Jesus instructs in Matthew 10:38, one must take up their cross and follow after Him, indicating a call to prioritize Him above all else, even amidst persecution that may come from close relationships like family. This act of bearing the cross is a spiritual commitment, contrasting with worldly pursuits, and underscores the necessity of wholehearted dedication to Christ's path.

In ancient times, in Central America, the cross-beamed cross was called Tota, meaning Our Father, reflecting a practice of addressing a piece of wood with a title of reverence. This mirrors the idolatry condemned in Jeremiah 2, where God's people, in mixing pagan worship with their religion, spoke to a tree, saying, 'You are my father,' and to a stone, 'You gave birth to me.' Such actions reveal a deep betrayal, as they turned their backs on the Eternal, only calling upon Him in times of trouble to arise and save them, while their crafted gods remained powerless. Various translations emphasize this error, consistently showing the shame of ascribing divine parenthood to lifeless wood or stone. This practice of idolatry, rooted in ancient Babylonian traditions, highlights the folly of trusting in objects that hold no life or power, in stark contrast to the living God who reigns in His holy temple, before whom all the earth should keep silence.

Among the many aspects of our Christian calling, one of the most defining is the necessity to bear our cross, a symbol of the trials and challenges we must endure. As Jesus Christ instructed in Matthew 16:24, if anyone desires to follow Him, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow His path. This cross represents enduring whatever is difficult, trying, or even disgraceful in our commitment to Him. It is a daily burden, as noted in Luke, requiring us to surrender our own will, desires, and affections to God, placing His desires first without compromise. Bearing this cross often brings us into direct conflict with the world around us, just as it did for the faithful heroes of old. Their unwavering commitment to God, despite severe trials, exemplified this principle. For us, denying ourselves means not seeking personal happiness above obedience to God, but willingly setting aside our own desires to fulfill His purpose. Through these struggles, as we face various tests, our faith is proven and our character defined before God, aligning us with His will and preparing us for the promises He has in store.