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Why do Christians sign themselves with the 'Sign of the Cross'

If you are a Christian, you have probably been making the sign of the cross since you were a child, saying the words, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." However, not everyone knows the reasoning behind this gesture. Some denomination of Christians also regard it idolatrous, however there is compelling biblical evidence to support the practice. 

From the writing of early church Father's, we know that the practice of the sign of the cross was already well established by 2nd century. In fact St. Basil the Great taught that the sign of the cross was a tradition handed down from the apostles. In the fourth century, John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople recognized the biblical nature of the sign of the cross and encouraged his flock to sign themselves. The early Christian apologist Tertullian wrote "In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupies us, we mark our forehead with the sign of the cross." Even Martin Luther urged his followers to use the sign saying "In the morning when you rise from bed, sign yourself with the holy cross and say, In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen...."

The Seal of Baptism

The first time a Christian is marked with the sign of the cross is at their baptism and this is simply because Jesus commanded his apostles to go and baptize all nations "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28:19). The sign signifies that they belong to Christ who has saved them by his death on the cross. From the time of baptism, each time a Christian signs themselves, they are reminded that they belong to Christ.

Biblical origins of the sign of the cross

The gesture of putting a cross over the body comes from the book of Ezekiel where there prophet is told to go through the city and put a mark upon the foreheads of men, inorder to label the faithful and spare them from the wrath of God. The word used in Hebrew for 'mark' is the letter 'taw' which is shaped like a plus sign. In Greek it is called tau, which is shaped like the letter 'T'. 

Similarly in the New Testament book of Revelation7, John sees a vision of four angels at the four corners of the earth, holding back storm winds which will damage the earth until the faithful are marked with a seal upon their foreheads. In Revelation 14:1 John sees the same believers with the name of the Father and Son on their foreheads and a similar reference is made in Revelation 22:4. In 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30, Paul also speaks of a seal upon the faithful Christians. The word used in Greek is sphragizō meaning 'to set a seal upon' or mark with a seal, which is the same word used in Revelation. The most likely explanation for the seal in the New Testament is the sign of the cross marked upon the Christians during their baptism.

The sign of the cross reminds us of two realities regarding our faith. Firstly, who is God? The Trinity and What God has done for us? Redeemed us by the cross. By signing our selves, we invoke God and also give glory to him for what he has done for us.

Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 7, 2020 at 1:06 AM

    Thanks Karen for explaining the Significance of The Sign Of The Cross. It is Sacramental and reminds us each time we make it that We belong to CHRIST from the day we were Baptized and Should follow HIS Path and Teachings as told to us in the Holy Scriptures.
    Be Blessed 🙏
    Trevor.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 8, 2020 at 9:40 AM

    You are attributing the Mark on the forehead in Ezekiel, Mark on the forehead in Revelation 7, name of the Father and the Son on their Forehead in Rev. 14:1, and His name shall be on their foreheads in Rev. 22:4, sealing of God in 2 Cor.1:22, Sealing of he Holy Spirit that was promised in Eph.1:13, Sealing of the Holy Spirit to the day of redemption in Eph. 4:30, to the sign of cross which is totally your fiction of imagination. Further, all the people who were immersed in the book of Acts were immersed in the name of Yahshua or Jesus for eg. Acts 2:38. In the Hebrew Matthew book that was found later that verse of Matt. 28: 19 it read "baptizing them in my name" the words in the name of the father, son and the Holy spirit are added words later in the council.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenAugust 8, 2020 at 11:25 AM

      What is the point that you wish to make?

      Just to clarify.. I didn't say Ezekiel was speaking of the sign of the cross.. I said the mark 'tau' was in the shape of a 'T'. And when it comes to the rest of it, arent you simply proving my point when you say the words used are in the name of the ' father' 'son' n 'holy spirit'.. Those are the exact words of the sign of the cross..
      Also dont you accept everything that is written in the bible or you selectively decide what to leave out based on your understanding of when it was added.. I do not get your point unless you belong to a denomination that has its own interpretation of those text which is not in tandum with what the church teaches.

      Delete
    2. CarltonAugust 8, 2020 at 12:12 PM

      I guess this anonymous person doesn't believe in the teaching of the church. Why is the name anonymous written. I GUESS this name is as secretive as their teaching.

      Delete
    3. Clarence LAugust 8, 2020 at 12:20 PM

      Absolutely agree with you Carlton.

      Delete

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