If the Cross Is Idolatry, Why Do Churches Use It?

When people hear that the Church of God does not erect or use a cross, they are very surprised. Upon learning that the cross is idolatry, they often ask the following question: if it’s so clear in the Bible that the cross is an idol and must not be worshipped, why do all churches of the world use it?

The reason why crosses are so prominent in all churches of the world is because it is a fulfilment of prophecy. This prophecy dates back to the Old Testament times.

The Relationship Between Moses and Jesus

There was a copy and shadow relationship between Moses and Jesus.

Acts 3:20-22 And that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.

This verse quotes Deuteronomy 18:17-18, when God told Moses the prophecy regarding Jesus’ relationship to him.

There were two significant events which occurred during the time of Moses that directly relates to the cross being used in this current age we live in; the battle against the Amalekites, and the incident of the bronze snake. We will now examine these one by one.

Exodus 17:8-13 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

This prophecy of Moses’ sacrifice of keeping the staff raised to win a battle was fulfilled by Jesus when he was lifted up on the cross.

John 12:31-33 Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

According to Revelation 12:9, the prince of this world refers to the devil, Satan. Whilst we are living on this earth, we are constantly at a spiritual war with the devil, but through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are set free from this sinful world.

Thus, we can understand the close relationship between Moses and Jesus through the prophecies and their fulfilments.

The Prophecy Regarding the Cross Being Mistakenly Worshipped

Numbers 21:4-9 They travelled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

This bronze snake was then mistakenly used as an object of worship for 800 years until the time of King Hezekiah. This is actually a shadow of the cross that is now used in churches.

2 Kings 18:3-4 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)

What Can Save Us Is Only Jesus’ Blood

John 3:14-15 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

Just as the Israelites mistakenly believed that the bronze snake had saved them, many people today believe that the cross gives them salvation. However, the cross is merely a piece of wood which Jesus was crucified on, just like how the bronze snake was merely a piece of bronze that Moses was instructed to make by God. (2 Kings 18:3-4) In the end, God’s word is what gives us salvation.

Just as the Israelites worshipped the bronze snake as an idol for a long time, many Christians today worship the cross. However, they fail to understand that only Jesus’ blood can save us.

1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

As we can see above, it is only through Jesus’ blood that can save us and be redeemed. In fact, is though the New Covenant that we can receive the blood of Jesus and so be saved (Lk 22:7-20, Jn 6:53). Therefore, let us reject the cross that is idolatry, and only follow God’s word.