Cross: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Cross means something in Christianity. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. On this page you will also find search and cross-referencing tools.
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In Christianity
General definition (in Christianity)
Cross definition and references: In the New Testament the instrument of crucifixion, and hence used for the crucifixion of Christ itself (Ephesians 2:16; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:17, 18; Galatians 5:11; 6:12, 14; Philemon 3:18). The word is also used to denote any severe affliction or trial (Matthew 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21).
The forms in which the cross is represented are these:
1. The crux simplex (I), a “single piece without transom.”
2. The crux decussata (X), or St. Andrew’s cross.
3. The crux commissa (T), or St. Anthony’s cross.
4. The crux immissa (t), or Latin cross, which was the kind of cross on which our Saviour died. Above our Lord’s head, on the projecting beam, was placed the “title.” (See Crucifixion.)
After the conversion, so-called, of Constantine the Great (B.C. 313), the cross first came into use as an emblem of Christianity. He pretended at a critical moment that he saw a flaming cross in the heavens bearing the inscription, “In hoc signo vinces”, i.e., By this sign thou shalt conquer, and that on the following night Christ himself appeared and ordered him to take for his standard the sign of this cross. In this form a new standard, called the Labarum, was accordingly made, and borne by the Roman armies. It remained the standard of the Roman army till the downfall of the Western empire. It bore the embroidered monogram of Christ, i.e., the first two Greek letters of his name, X and P (chi and rho), with the Alpha and Omega. (See A.)
Cross refers to:—As the emblem of a slave’s death and a murderer’s punishment, the cross was naturally looked upon with the profoundest horror. But after the celebrated vision of Constantine, he ordered his friends to make a cross of gold and gems, such as he had seen, and “the towering eagles resigned the flags unto the cross,” and “the tree of cursing and shame” “sat upon the sceptres and was engraved and signed on the foreheads of kings.” (Jer. Taylor, “Life of Christ,” iii., xv. 1.) The new standards were called by the name Labarum, and may be seen on the coins of Constantine the Great and his nearer successors. The Latin cross on which our Lord suffered, was int he form of the letter T, and had an upright above the cross-bar, on which the “title” was placed. There was a projection from the central stem, on which the body of the sufferer rested. This was to prevent the weight of the body from tearing away the hands. Whether there was also a support to the feet (as we see in pictures) is doubtful. An inscription was generally placed above the criminal’s head, briefly expressing his guilt, and generally was carried before him. It was covered with white gypsum, and the letter were black.
Cross definition and references: –Jesus crucified on Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26; Acts
2:23,36; 4:10; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 2:2,8; Ephesians 2:16; Philippians 2:8; Colossians 1:20; 2:14; Hebrews 12:2
–Carried by
–Simon Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26
–Jesus John 19:17
–Figurative Matthew 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21; Luke 9:23;
14:27; 1 Corinthians 1:17,18; Galatians 5:11; 6:14; Philippians 3:18
–See Crucifixion
–See Self-Denial
Cross refers to:—In its simplest form, consisting of two pieces of wood, one standing erect, the other crossing it at right angles, the cross was known at an early age in the history of the world. Its use as an instrument of punishment was probably suggested by the shape so often taken by branches of trees, which seem to have been the first crosses that were employed. Trees are known to have been used as crosses, and to every kind of hanging which bore a resemblance to crucifixion, such as that of Prometheus, Andromeda, etc. the name was commonly applied. Among the Scythians Persians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, and the ancient Germans, traces are found of the cross as an instrument of punishment. The sign of the cross is found as a holy symbol among several ancient nations.
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Cross refers to:—The instrument of a slave's death, associated with the ideas of pain, guilt, and ignominy. "The very name," writes Cicero (Pro Rab., 5), "ought to be excluded not merely from the body, but from the thought, eyes, and ears of Roman citizens." The Hebrew, having no term for it as not being a punishment in their nation, called it "warp and woof." Scourging generally preceded crucifixion: so Jesus (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; foretold in Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 53:5). Pilate had probably hoped the Jews would be content with this scourging, and still let Him escape crucifixion (Luke 23:22; John 19:1). Jesus bore His own cross toward Golgotha outside the city (Hebrews 13:12; so Stephen, Acts 7:58), but sinking exhausted probably He was relieved, and it was transferred to Simon of Cyrene; prefigured in Isaac carrying the wood (Genesis 22:6; contrast Isaiah 9:6, "the government shall be upon His shoulder".)
Jesus' sacred and lacerated body was raised aloft, the hands nailed to the transverse beam, the feet separately nailed to the lower part of the upright beam so as to be a foot or two above the ground (others think the two feet were pierced by one and the same nail). Stupefying drink, vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh, was first offered to Him and refused (Matthew 27:34), for He would meet suffering consciously. Near death, to fulfill Psalms 69:21, He drank of the sour wine or vinegar kindly offered Him on a sponge. His death was hastened by rupture of the heart (See BLOOD; also Mark 15:23; compare John 19:28; Matthew 27:48.)
The sour wine called posca was the common drink of the Roman soldiers. Pilate marveled at His speedy death, crucifixion often not terminating in death for days. The approach of the Passover sabbath, one of peculiar solemnity, led to his permitting the Jewish law to be carried out which forbids bodies to hang after sunset (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). His legs could not be broken, because the Passover type must be fulfilled (Exodus 12:46). Constantine when converted abolished crucifixion.
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Cross refers to:—The cross in its literal sense is dealt with under Crucifixion, but there are certain spiritual uses of the word in the NT that call for separate consideration.
(1) It is a symbol of self-sacrifice . According to the Gospels, Jesus on at least three occasions affirmed the necessity for those who would follow Him of taking up the cross ( Matthew 10:38; Mark 8:34 = Matthew 16:24 = Luke 9:23; [ Mark 10:21 only in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ]; Luke 14:27 ). The words imply a prophetic anticipation of His own experience on Calvary; but even although on Christ’s earliest use of them this special application was hidden from His disciples (cf. Matthew 16:21; Matthew 20:19 ), the figure of bearing one’s cross would convey a quite intelligible meaning. In Galilee multitudes had been crucified after the rebellion under Judas the Gaulonite (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant . XVII. X. 10, BJ II. v. 2); in Jerusalem, as we see from the execution of two robbers side by side with Jesus, a crucifixion must have been an ordinary incident of the administration of Roman law. And as it was usual to compel a cruciarius to carry to the place of execution the transverse beam ( patibulum ) of his own cross, Christ’s figure would have a meaning as plain as it was vivid. But, unlike the wretched cruciarius , His disciples of their own free will were to take up the cross and follow Him.
(2) It is a thing of shame . The author of Hebrews tells us bow Jesus ‘endured the cross, despising shame’ ( Hebrews 12:2 ).
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See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): The, The, Cross, Bride Ministry Center, The, Eternal, the, Te.
Starts with (+27): Cross and Crown Church, Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, Cross City Pentecostal Holiness Church, Cross Community Fellowship, ARP, Cross Country Church, Cross Generations Church, Cross grass, Cross in the Desert, Cross Keys United Methodist Church, Cross N Crown Church, Cross of Calvary Baptist Church, Cross Pointe Church, Cross Power Ministries International, Cross road, Cross roads baptist church, Cross roads christian fellowship, Cross Roads Community Church, Cross Roads Ministries, Cross Sound Church, Cross Street Baptist Church.
Full-text (+2565): Yi du, Wei du, Vajrabhyasa, Crucifixion, Qi du, Cupakada, Svastika, Tri, Rufus, Dvaravamsha, Pratidhi, Vinegar, Dharana, Alexander, Sabachthani, Tarttarika, Tarita, Dustara, Titirsha, Taritri.
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Search found 560 books and stories containing Cross, The cross; (plurals include: Crosses, The crosses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Human Dignity as a Right and Virtue in Practice < [Volume 9, Issue 5 (2018)]
The Saint in the Woods: Semi-Domestic Shrines in Rural Sweden, c. 1500–1800 < [Volume 10, Issue 6 (2019)]
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Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers (by Philip Schaff)
Chapter I - The Discovery of the Life-Bringing Cross and of the Holy Nails < [The Ecclesiastical History of Sozomen.]
Chapter XXXIV < [The Works of Sulpitius Severus.]
The Emperor's Mother Helena having come to Jerusalem < [The Ecclesiastical History of Socrates Scholasticus.]
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Ante-nicene Fathers (by Alexander Roberts)
The Charge of Worshipping a Cross < [Part I]
Chapter XVI < [Part I]
The Innocence of the Christians Not Compromised by the Iniquitous Laws Which Were Made Against Them < [Part I]
Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository (by Andrew Robert Fausset)
Archives of Social Sciences of Religions
Faith and Nationalism: The Crosses of Auschwitz in Post-Communist Poland < [Volume 140 (2007)]
Christianity in Southern Tamil Nadu: Responses to Hindu Polytheism < [Volume 103 (1998)]
Rural Crosses and Space Sacralization in Medieval Brittany < [Volume 43-1 (1977)]