Interesting Questions-46
"On the cross and graven images"
(Exodus 20:4-5)
Letter to the Editor:
GOD'S MESSAGE, October 2000, p.2
I FIND YOUR magazine very interesting. The
theology it expresses is very thought provoking. I read an article
about your view on the Trinity, and I have to say that your
arguments are very compelling. I also read that you do
not hang crosses in your houses of worship. Can you explain to me
why? I know that the Moslems and some Christian
sects believe that any ornamentation in a place of worship takes
one's attention away from the contemplation and worship of
God—is this also your reason?
Doug and Angie Whipple,
Everett, Washington, USA
Editor's reply:
We appreciate your interest in the teachings and
practices of the Church of Christ.
We have neither crosses nor graven images in our
houses of worship because the Almighty God prohibits such things
that are associated with idolatry. The Holy Scriptures
teaches that man should not bow down before graven images. The
Almighty God Himself declared:
You shall not make yourself any graven image [to
worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens
above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water
under the earth; You shall not bow down yourself to
them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the
third and fourth generation of those who hate Me,
(Exodus 20:4-5, Amplified Bible)
Also, God's people have
never used the image of the cross to worship Him. The cross is but
an instrument of execution, a fact that is supported even by
Catholic authorities:
'Before the time of Christ the cross was the
symbol of shame, ignorance and dishonor. Like the guillotine, the
noose, or the electric chair, it was the instrument for the
execution of the worst criminals." (The Apostles Creed,
p. 16)
The Almighty God, through the: apostles, commands
that every knee should bow at the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ (Philip. 2:9-11) and not before the instrument used by
the executioners who crucified the Lord to death.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name
which is above every name, that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the
earth, and that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians
2:9-11, New King James Version)
___________________
Note:
Verses in smaller font
were added for clarity. Emphasis ours.
Bible Study
Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free
to visit the
Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or
an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question
you have in mind.