Wearing a Cross at Work as a Witness
The act of wearing a cross at work as a witness involves understanding both the symbolism of the cross and the theological concept of "witness." The cross, in the New Testament, primarily signifies the instrument of Christ's crucifixion and, by extension, the crucifixion itself [4]. It also represents severe affliction or trial that believers might face [4]. The concept of "witness" (Greek: martyria) in a biblical context refers to giving evidence or testimony. This can involve tangible memorials, significant ceremonies, or verbal declarations [1].
In the Old Testament, a witness could be a physical object, such as a heap of stones or an altar, marking a covenant or boundary [1]. More than one witness was typically required in criminal cases, and witnesses were often the first to execute a sentence [5]. In the New Testament, Jesus himself is presented as a witness to the Father's sending him, demonstrated through his works [2]. Believers are called to be witnesses, and this can become an opportunity during times of trial [3].
Theological traditions interpret the "cross" not only as a physical object but also as a metaphor for self-denial and suffering in the Christian life. John Calvin, for instance, discusses "bearing the cross" as a branch of self-denial, which produces patience and confirms faith by demonstrating God's aid in times of need [6, 8]. Origen similarly connects self-denial and cross-bearing with a radical transformation from a life of wickedness [7]. Athanasius of Alexandria points to the power of the cross against evil forces and the virtue displayed by those who live by Christ's teachings as a witness to His power [9].
The act of wearing a cross can be seen as an external profession of faith, a visible sign of allegiance to Christ. Aquinas notes that in the sacrament of Confirmation, individuals are signed with the cross on the forehead as a soldier is marked with the sign of their leader, signifying strength in spiritual combat and the courage to confess faith even in the face of opposition [10]. This aligns with the idea of the cross as a symbol of identification with Christ and his suffering, and a public declaration of one's Christian identity. The Apostle Paul, for example, speaks of not being ashamed of the "testimony of our Lord" [11]. Therefore, wearing a cross can be understood as a visual testimony, a silent declaration of one's commitment to Christ and the Gospel.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Witness — Among people with whom writing is not common the evidence of a transaction is given by some tangible memorial or significant ceremony: Abraham gave seven ewe-lambs to Abimelech as an evidence of his property in the well of Beersheba. Jacob raised a heap of stones, "the heap of witness." as a boundary-mark between himself and Laban. (Genesis 21:30; 31:47,52) The tribes of Reuben and Gad raised an "altar" as a witness to the covenant between themselves and the rest of the nation. Joshua set up a stone as an evidence of the allegiance promised by Israel to God.”
- John “John 5:36 (BBE) — But the witness which I have is greater than that of John: the work which the Father has given me to do, the very work which I am now doing, is a witness that the Father has sent me.”
- Luke “Luke 21:13 (BSB) — This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses.”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Witness — More than one witness was required in criminal cases (Deut. 17:6; 19:15). They were the first to execute the sentence on the condemned (Deut. 13:9; 17:7; 1 Kings 21:13; Matt. 27:1; Acts 7:57, 58). False witnesses were liable to punishment (Deut. 19:16-21). It was also an offence to refuse to bear witness (Lev. 5:1).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 63: promise; while supported by his hand, they endure patiently. This they could never do by their own strength. Patience, therefore, gives the saints an experimental proof that God in reality furnishes the aid which he has promised whenever there is need. Hence also their faith is confirmed, for it were very ungrateful not to expect that in future the truth of God will be, as they have already found it, firm and constant. We now see how many advantages are at once produced by the cross. Overturning the overweening opinion we form of o”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — 24. SELF-DENIAL AND CROSS-BEARING. (part 1): "Then Jesus said to His disciples, If any man wills to follow after Me," etc.(7) He shows by these words that, to will to come after Jesus and to follow Him, springs from no 464 ordinary manly courage, and that no one who has not denied himself can come after Jesus. And the man denies himself who wipes out by a striking revolution his own former life which had been spent in wickedness; as by way of illustration he who was once licentious denies his licentious self, having become self-c”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 63: 2016 CHAPTER 8. OF BEARING THE CROSS—ONE BRANCH OF SELF-DENIAL. The four divisions of this chapter are,—I. The nature of the cross, its necessity and dignity, sec. 1, 2. II. The manifold advantages of the cross described, sec. 3-6. III. The form of the cross the most excellent of all, and yet it by no means removes all sense of pain, sec. 7, 8. IV. A description of warfare under the cross, and of true patience (not that of philosophers), after the example of Christ, sec. 9-11. Sections . 1. What the cross is. By whom, and on whom, ”
- CCEL (Patristic) “Athanasius of Alexandria, Select Works and Letters, section 145: §48. Further facts. Christian continence of virgins and ascetics. Martyrs. The power of the Cross against demons and magic. Christ by His Power shews Himself more than a man, more than a magician, more than a spirit. For all these are totally subject to Him. Therefore He is the Word of God. Now these arguments of ours do not amount merely to words, but have in actual experience a witness to their truth. 2. For let him that will, go up and behold the proof of virtue in the virgins of Christ and in the young men that practise holy ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Sacrament of Confirmation, Art. 9: Article: Whether this sacrament should be given to man on the forehead? I answer that, As stated above (Articles [1],4), in this sacrament man receives the Holy Ghost for strength in the spiritual combat, that he may bravely confess the Faith of Christ even in face of the enemies of that Faith. Wherefore he is fittingly signed with the sign of the cross on the forehead, with chrism, for two reasons. First, because he is signed with the sign of the cross, as a soldier with the sign of his leader, whic”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily II. 2 Timothy i. 8–10 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ.” There is nothing worse than that man should measure and judge of divine things”