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.