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The Cross in WorshipThe Watchtower—1960 | February 15
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an upright stake or pale, whereas xylon merely means wood. Even the basic meaning of crux, the Latin equivalent for staurós, is merely a wooden instrument of execution on which a criminal is impaled or hanged. Because the original meanings of these words were later expanded to include the cross, that does not argue that the Bible writers meant cross when they spoke about Jesus’ death instrument. The Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th Edition, says: “Lipsius and other writers speak of the single upright stake to which criminals were bound as a cross, and to such a stake the name of crux simplex has been applied.” It was this simple stake that Jesus was hanged on with his hands nailed above his head.
The early Christians did not consider the torture stake of Christ as a sacred symbol of Christianity. They would not violate Scriptural commands by revering it. As far as they were concerned it was a hated thing that should, according to Jewish custom, be buried and put out of sight. Not until the professed Christian organization began to corrupt itself by adopting pagan beliefs, symbols and customs was the cross associated with Christianity. Not until then did professed Christians follow the pagan practice of venerating symbols.
Apostate Christians adopted the popular pagan symbol of life and gave it the appearance of being Christian by claiming that Christ died on a cross. “In the Egyptian churches,” says The Encyclopœdia Britannica, “the cross was a pagan symbol of life borrowed by the Christians and interpreted in the pagan manner.” The unchristian cross has no place in Christian worship. To consider it as sacred is to violate the Scriptural command: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? . . . quit touching the unclean thing.”—2 Cor. 6:14, 17.
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Questions From ReadersThe Watchtower—1960 | February 15
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Questions From Readers
● Is it proper or improper for a dedicated Christian to stand when the national anthem is played? Why?—R. S., U.S.A.
A national anthem is in effect a prayer to God on behalf of a nation belonging to Satan’s system of things and invariably asks material prosperity and long life for that nation. As Christians following the example of Jesus Christ we cannot pray for any part of Satan’s world or for any of the things in it. (John 17:9) Note also that the prophet Jeremiah, who found himself in a position comparable to ours, was at least three times commanded not to pray for his nation and people. See Jeremiah 7:16; 11:14; 14:11.
So, as Christians, we cannot conscientiously join in the prayerful sentiments of the national anthem on behalf of a system of things that Jehovah God has doomed to be destroyed. Neither can we Scripturally speak or act in agreement with its words that claim God’s blessings upon wars of a worldly nation. Our boast is not in any of the worldly nations but in Jehovah and his King and kingdom.
According to custom, one indicates that he is in sympathy with the sentiments of this song merely by standing. This fact was highlighted by the action of certain Allied officers who refused to stand at the playing of the German national anthem some time after World War II. Since the Christian is not in sympathy with the sentiments of any national anthem of this old world, he may not give others the impression that he is by rising when it is being played or sung. He can no more conscientiously take this special action toward the national anthem of his country of residence than the three Hebrews could have taken the special action demanded of them by King Nebuchadnezzar toward the image.—Dan. 3:1-23.
It should be noted, however, that there is a difference between standing for the national anthem and school children being required to stand for flag-salute ceremonies. There appears to be no more objection to their standing in such instances than to adults standing when a judge enters his courtroom. The ceremony of the flag salute consists of certain movements of the hands and an oral pledge. While refraining from these, a child can stand out of respect for the flag and the good principles for which it stands and yet not be participating in the flag-salute ceremony.
● What does the apostle refer to at Romans 8:39 by the phrase “height nor depth”?—F. G., U.S.A.
Here the apostle Paul speaks of height and depth as a creation, saying: “Nor height nor depth nor any other creation.” Height and depth are creations in a relative sense as a result of comparison with something else. Hence, the apostle Paul is here pointing out that neither a high position nor a low position of God’s spirit-begotten sons will be able to separate them from his love.
But height and depth may be referred to not merely in the abstract sense, as referring to position. They may be understood also in a concrete sense as meaning something that occupies a high position or something that occupies a low position. Hence, neither that which occupies a low position and has the tendency to pull one down nor that which occupies a high position and tends to exercise a superior influence over one will be able to separate the spirit-begotten sons, who are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, from God’s love for them, nor even from Christ’s love for them. The same principle, of course, holds true regarding the “great crowd” of “other sheep” today.
Note that Paul here is not discussing his own firm resolve not to permit anything to cause his own love for God to grow cold, but the converse. He is stressing the fact that absolutely nothing in all the universe can frustrate God’s love for his spirit-begotten sons. The unshakable conviction that this is so is a comfort to all such.
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AnnouncementsThe Watchtower—1960 | February 15
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Announcements
FIELD MINISTRY
In the great battle for truth and righteousness The Watchtower helps one in ‘acquiring mightiness for turning the battle’ to a successful conclusion. During February a year’s subscription for this magazine will be offered for $1, with three Bible booklets given free to new subscribers. If you would like to have a share in this work, inquire at the nearest Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses or write to this office.
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
The Peace-pursuing District Assembly to be held in Portland, Oregon, will be July 28-31. The Anchorage, Alaska, Assembly will be held April 21-24. See the February 1 issue of The Watchtower for the complete list.
TIME IS TREASURE
Do not hoard time. Spend it. But get something for it. Get the most for your reading time by reading the two leading Bible magazines, The Watchtower and Awake! You will get back your investment with dividends—knowledge that leads to life. Send today for a year’s subscription to each magazine and receive six booklets free. Send only $2.
1960 MEMORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The time draws near when Jehovah’s people, both the remnant and other sheep will assemble as congregations for the observance of the most significant of all memorials, the one that annually commemorates the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. The date this year is Sunday, April 10. The discourse is to be given by a capable speaker, one of the remnant if available and capable. Each congregation should start making arrangements for the Memorial, and all persons who are truly of good will toward Jehovah God and his Son Jesus Christ will want to make definite arrangements to attend.
“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS
March 27: Safeguard Your Thinking Ability. Page 105.
April 3: Seek Right Associations. Page 111.
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