Christianity and Wearing Crucifixes Displaying Jesus on the Cross
The cross is a central symbol in Christianity, representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ [1]. The New Testament uses the term "cross" to refer to the instrument of Christ's crucifixion and, by extension, to the crucifixion itself [1]. It also signifies severe affliction or trial that believers might face [1].
Historically, various forms of the cross exist, including the crux simplex (a single piece), the crux decussata (X-shaped, or St. Andrew's cross), the crux commissa (T-shaped, or St. Anthony's cross), and the crux immissa (the Latin cross, which was the type used for Jesus' crucifixion) [1].
The act of crucifixion is described with stark simplicity in the Gospels [3]. Jesus' suffering and death on the cross are central to Christian belief [3, 5]. The garments of those crucified were typically taken by the executioners, and in Jesus' case, soldiers divided his clothes and cast lots for his seamless vesture, fulfilling prophecy [8].
For many Christians, the cross is not merely a historical artifact but a profound theological symbol. Adam Clarke, commenting on 1 Corinthians, emphasizes that the bread and wine of communion "point out the crucified body and spilt blood of Christ," indicating the ongoing significance of Christ's death [4]. Paul's declaration in Galatians, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ," highlights the cross as the source of salvation and justification through Christ's atoning death [6, 9]. This glorying in the cross extends to the disgrace and persecution experienced for attachment to Christ [6]. The cross, though an object of shame to some, is seen as the means by which Christ destroyed death [9].
The concept of "crucifying the flesh" is also tied to the cross, meaning that those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their sinful passions and desires [2, 9]. John Calvin, in his commentary on Philippians, discusses how outward signs like circumcision (and by extension, baptism) are not superfluous, even though the inward reality is conferred by Christ [7]. This suggests that physical representations can serve as reminders of spiritual truths.
While the cross itself is a universal Christian symbol, the practice of wearing crucifixes—which specifically depict Jesus on the cross—varies among traditions. The emphasis on the "crucified Christ" as the means of atonement is a shared theological point [6].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Cross — In the New Testament the instrument of crucifixion, and hence used for the crucifixion of Christ itself (Eph. 2:16; Heb. 12:2; 1 Cor. 1:17, 18; Gal. 5:11; 6:12, 14; Phil. 3:18). The word is also used to denote any severe affliction or trial (Matt. 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 o”
- Galatians “Galatians 5:24 (BSB) — Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 15:37: 15:37 The death of Jesus, like the crucifixion, is told with stark simplicity.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 11:28: Let a man examine himself - Let him try whether he has proper faith in the Lord Jesus; and whether he discerns the Lord's body; and whether he duly considers that the bread and wine point out the crucified body and spilt blood of Christ.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 17:25: 17:25 suffer terribly: Jesus would soon suffer crucifixion (see study note on 9:22).”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:14: But God forbid that I should glory - Whatever others may do, or whatever they may exult or glory in, God forbid that I should exult, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; in the grand doctrine, that justification and salvation are only through Christ crucified, he having made an atonement for the sin of the world by his passion and death. And I glory, also, in the disgrace and persecution which I experience through my attachment to this crucified Christ. By whom the world is crucified unto me - Jewish rites and Gentile vanities are equally insipid to me; ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 32.7: do you abolish circumcision on this pretext — that its accomplishment is in Christ? Was not Abraham, also, circumcised spiritually, and yet this did not hinder the adding of the sign to the reality? Outward circumcision, therefore, is not superfluous, although that which is inward is conferred by Christ.” Paul anticipates an objection of this kind, by making mention of baptism. Christ, says he, accomplishes in us spiritual circumcision, not through means of that ancient sign, which was in force under Moses, but by ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 22:18: They part my garments among them,.... Such as died the death of the cross were crucified naked (h), and their clothes were the perquisites of the executioners; there were four soldiers concerned in the crucifixion of Christ, and these parted his garments into four parts, and everyone took his part; and cast lots on my vesture; which was a seamless coat, wove from the top to the bottom; and therefore, not willing to rend it, they cast lots upon it who should have it; all this was exactly fulfilled in Christ, Joh 19:23. (h) Vid Lipsium de Cruce, l. 2. c. 7. p. 81.”
- Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 6:14: Translate, "But as for me (in opposition to those gloriers 'in your flesh,' Gal 6:13), God forbid that I," &c. in the cross--the atoning death on the cross. Compare Phi 3:3, Phi 3:7-8, as a specimen of his glorying. The "cross," the great object of shame to them, and to all carnal men, is the great object of glorying to me. For by it, the worst of deaths, Christ has destroyed all kinds of death [AUGUSTINE, Tract 36, on John, sec. 4]. We are to testify the power of Christ's death working in us, after the manner of crucifixion (Gal 5:24; Rom 6:5-6).”