The Old Baptist Warns Against the Inappropriate Use of the Cross of Christ

While browsing through my local LifeWay store (formerly known as The Baptist Bookstore...when they actually focused on the book trade) I was compelled to reflect upon the merchandising of the cross of Christ. All about me I saw crosses of every imaginable shape, constructed of every available material, and designed for every conceivable use. This shameless marketing of the instrument of torture and death which is at the center of God's plan of redemption begs for a reconsideration of the historic Protestant position relative to the propriety of the use of a physical representation of the cross of Christ as an instrument of Christian devotion.

In the New Testament, the word "cross" invariably refers to the instrument on which Jesus Christ suffered death. The Greek word properly signifies a stake, or upright pole; but the Romans modified this form of punishment and scholars have found it difficult to determine the precise form of our Lord's cross. It is possible that He was nailed to a simple stake (the crux simplex), but it more likely that he died on a stake with a transverse beam near its top (the crux immissa). There is nothing in the Gospels to enable us to determine this matter with certainty, although Christ's "accusation" fixed "over His head" may suggest a projection above a horizontal beam (cf. Matthew 27:37). What we do know is that the more elaborate cross, consisting of two pieces of wood, was in general use in the first century and, certainly, the ancient voice of tradition is in favor of it. Justin Martyr (AD 110-165), one of the earliest of our Christian writers, testifies to the fact that this was the form employed. In a description of Christ's crucifixion, he says: "The one beam is placed upright...the other beam is fitted on to it."

The idolatrous Church of Rome has made a sacred symbol of the cross. In Romish rituals, crosses are set up and the "faithful" are encouraged to kiss them and to genuflect before them. Historically, Protestants have shunned all use of material crosses; today, however, it is not uncommon to find them on Protestant church buildings, and even within those buildings - set up before the congregation! It has also become fashionable among Baptists and Presbyterians (as evidenced by my experience at the LifeWay store) to wear a cross on a badge, broach, wristband, and necklace. This is to be deplored and denied for the following reasons:

First, crosses are images, and the Law of God strictly forbids the creation and use of images: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images..." (Exodus 20:4). Accordingly, the images of the conquered Canaanites were destroyed by fire, and even the silver and gold from them was not kept because it would prove a snare to God's people and lead to their destruction (Deuteronomy 7:25-26). As the Apostle John warns, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).

Secondly, the cross as a symbol has its origin in paganism, not Christianity. Long before the coming of Christ, it was a common heathen symbol almost universally adored. It is to be found among Egyptian and Assyrian remains; and, perhaps even more significantly, it is known to have been venerated by the Babylonians as the initial "T" of Tammuz, one of their high gods. In pagan Rome, it appeared on standards and coins, and the Vestal Virgins of Rome wore it suspended from their necklaces. "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen..." (Jeremiah 10:2).

Thirdly, even if it is claimed as an especially Christian symbol, there are dangers inherent with a material cross. Remember the brazen serpent. It too had sacred associations, but, because the people were tempted to regard it unlawfully, King Hezekiah "brake [it] in pieces" (2 Kings 18:4).

Fourthly, when the Apostle refers to the cross, he is clearly referring to its doctrine aspects - i.e., the place of the cross in the Gospel (cf., 1 Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 6:14). A visible cross is a poor substitute for the glorious Gospel of the blessed God. As Calvin rightly comments, "Paul testifies that by the true preaching of the gospel Christ is depicted before our eyes as crucified (Galatians 3:1). What purpose does it serve for so many crosses - of wood, stone, silver, and gold - to be erected here and there in churches?" Should some urge the need of a visible sign, we are already blessed with the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Table, both of which tangibly represent to us Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant (1 Peter 3:21; 1 Corinthians 11:26).

Fifthly, it is significant that nowhere in the New Testament is the sign of the cross referenced. Therefore, any use of it in worship must spring from human religious ingenuity, not from divine warrant. This is precisely what Paul condemns as "will worship" (Colossians 2:23).

Sixthly, the early Christians avoided the use of this symbol. The venerable Dean Burgon writes: "I question whether the cross occurs in any Christian monument of the first four centuries." Eventually, of course, reproductions of the cross did appear and it was an easy transition from the sign of the cross to the form of the crucifix.

Seventhly, and lastly, we observe that the Reformers were united in their determination to rid the Church of both crosses and crucifixes, and they were so successful that in 1574 Anglican Archbishop Whitgift was able to say, "As for the papists, we are far enough off from them; for they pictured the sign of the cross and did worship it; so do not we: they used it to drive away spirits and devils; so do not we; they attributed power and virtue unto it; so do not we; they had it in their churches; so do not we" (emphasis added).

In the last century Charles Spurgeon wrote: "There are some who can adore a cross of wood or stone or gold; but I cannot conceive of a greater wounding of the heart of Christ than to pay reverence to anything in the shape of the cross. Methinks the Saviour must say, 'What! What! I am the Son of God, and do they make even Me into an idol!'...We have nothing to do with these outward symbols now" (emphasis added).

We Baptists, as Protestants and Evangelicals, must not allow material crosses in our church buildings or upon our persons. It is frankly a relic of idolatry; as such, it can only be an offense to Almighty God. May God grant us the fortitude to stand strong against this subtle encroachment of image veneration into our individual and congregational lives.

Grace and peace.