What does the Christian cross represent?
Quick Answer
The Christian cross represents Christ's sacrifice of his body for the sake of humanity and his victory over sin and death. This symbol of atonement for one's sins is a familiar symbol of Christianity.
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Full Answer
Jesus of Nazareth was crucified on a structure that most likely resembled the Latin cross, commonly called the Christian cross. Its construction consists of two pieces of wood nailed together to form right angles.
In the Roman Catholic church, the cross often has a three-dimensional representation of Jesus' suffering body and is referred to as the crucifix. Protestant churches typically hang an empty cross because Protestant teaching emphasizes the resurrection of Christ.
Some Christians, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, believe that the cross is idolatry and denounce it as symbolic of Christianity. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not use the Christian cross as an expression of their religion, preferring to focus on a belief in the living Christ, rather than the dying Christ. However, most Christian denominations hang crosses in their churches, and many Christians wear crosses around their necks as jewelry and have artwork depicting the Christian cross in their homes. Christians traditionally make a gesture tracing the sign of the cross as part of their ceremonial worship.
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