Why is the cross the symbol of christianity?

Question

Its not what jesus was crucified on crucifixions cause of death is suffocation but he would have lived for days if he was on the cross used by Christians....

And btw the cross is the symbol of an english king and was popularized by him yet it is still Christianity's symbol today so why is it?

Answer 1

There's an argument over the meaning of the Greek word used, but Christians have been using the cross as a symbol since at least the second century.



Your argument about how long he would have lived is answered by the Gospels, which say that his death was unusually quick. So the average person would have lived for days, and he didn't happen to survive the typical length of time.



As Christians were using crosses long before there were Christian English kings, and quite a few centuries before the symbolic systems of heraldry, it's pretty clear that the English use was derived from Christianity and not the Christian use from the English. In fact, the English one represents a Christian saint who was invoked as a patron of the kingdom; many other such crosses represent other countries in the same way.

Answer 2

The symbol of the empty cross symbolizes Christ rising from the dead. Many died on a cross, but only Jesus rose from the dead.



Where in the world do you get the idea that Jesus would have lived for days? You have a very poor understanding of crucifiction. Few people lived more than a few hours. After a while, the romans would come by and break the crucified one's knees so that they could not lift their body to take breath.



The cross was "also" used by an english king. It does not matter if he used it.

Answer 3

Jesus (The christian savior and the son of the christian god) died on a cross therefore it becomes a symbol and icon of Christianity. And back during the medieval periods Christianity played a BIG ROLE in European life that's why a English king would have a symbol of a cross it would be the same as a christian wearing a cross neckless to show that they are christian and to show respect to Jesus.



And Jesus did not died of suffocation he died on the cross killed by the Romans voted killed by the Jews. And Jesus lasted some hours on the cross after he was dead so he did not actually stayed killed on the cross that long. They took him to a tomb later he went back to life the 3rd day.

Answer 4

QUOTE: "And btw the cross is the symbol of an english king and was popularized by him yet it is still Christianity's symbol today so why is it?"



The cross came into use as a Christian symbol around the middle of the fifth century. At the time Britain was made up of a lot of minor fiefdoms, and England didn't even exist as a country.

Answer 5

Constantine had a lot to do with it.

The very early symbol for christians was actually the pentagram.

I realize this will shock a lot of christians who are oblivious to their faiths history.

So, here, see for yourselves:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagram

""ChristianityThe pentagram is used as a Christian symbol for the five senses,[22] and if the letters S, A, L, V, and S are inscribed in the points, it can be taken as a symbol of health (from Latin salus).[23]



Medieval Christians believed that the "pentalpha" symbolizes the five wounds of Christ. The pentagram was believed to protect against witches and demons.[24]



The pentagram figured in a heavily symbolic Arthurian romance:[24] it appears on the shield of Sir Gawain in the 14th century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. As the poet explains, the five points of the star each have five meanings: they represent the five senses, the five fingers, the five wounds of Christ,[25] the five joys that Mary had of Jesus (the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Resurrection, the Ascension, and the Assumption), and the five virtues of knighthood which Gawain hopes to embody: noble generosity, fellowship, purity, courtesy, and compassion.



Most Christians came to associate it with Satanism and subsequently rejected the symbol sometime in the twentieth century...."

Answer 6

First of all, make sure you understand the symbol of Protestant Christianity is an EMPTY cross, which precedes the EMPTY tomb.



Then realize that God is in control of everything, even death. He (may) have lived for days had he chosen to, but his mission was completed in his timing, so the Romans didn't need to break his legs so he would suffocate. Never forget, he is in control of everything.

Answer 7

The cross was taken as the symbol of Christ by Constantine (a Roman king), when he established the "official religion" of Rome as Christianity.



The "english kings" that used the cross (since England did not exist by Constantine's time) used it as it was the symbol of Christ by that time and they (because of Constantine's conquests) were raised Christian.

Answer 8

Its not the symbol of Christianity...



Some Christians use/wear it but not all do.

Answer 9

Jesus is believed to have been killed on a cross, but Romans always crucified people on trees or stakes.

Answer 10

It's a symbol of His atoning sacrifice where he laid down His life to save all of us.

Answer 11

Because the Guillotine was already taken.

Answer 12

Actually they took it from the Egyptian ankh. Totally stole it from the pagans.

Answer 13

your wrong. its because of the crucifixion.

Answer 14

You forgot the nails.....

Answer 15

It is not.



Steve