gp1628
Old Man
I saw some sites mention it was an early easy to scribe symbol used to mark meeting places and safe houses by christians during the roman times. The illiterate members could draw it (the cross was too obvious).
Ichthys - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS: THE FISH (ICHTHUS, ICTUS), CROSS AND CRUCIFIX
What does the Christian fish symbol mean (ixthus / icthus)?
Ichthys - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS: THE FISH (ICHTHUS, ICTUS), CROSS AND CRUCIFIX
What does the Christian fish symbol mean (ixthus / icthus)?
The story I've heard over the years and seems to have a ring of plausability...
Two people meet on a road and while they are talking one casually draws an arc with their foot in the sand/dirt. If the other casually draws another arc from their perspective the two together comprise the classic fish symbol of today and without words recognize each other as brothers and feel safe to talk...
Last time I observed someone speaking in the third person when describing self was Bob Dole...i am glad to say mee has those things in clear focusthe annual memorial 22nd march this year,
the memorial of christs death i will be an observer to this very important thing.
One reason why the Memorial was instituted had to do with one purpose served by Jesus’ death.
He died as an upholder of his heavenly Father’s sovereignty. Christ thus proved Satan the Devil, who had falsely charged that humans serve God only out of selfish motives, to be a liar. (Job 2:1-5)
Jesus’ death in faithfulness proved this contention false and made Jehovah’s heart rejoice.—Proverbs 27:11.
the Lord’s Evening Meal was instituted to remind us that by means of his death as a perfect, sinless human, Jesus ‘gave his soul a ransom in exchange for many.’ (Matthew 20:28)
When the first man sinned against God, he forfeited perfect human life and all its prospects.
Jesus said, however: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Indeed, “the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Observance of the Lord’s Evening Meal reminds us of the great love shown by both Jehovah and his Son in connection with Jesus’ sacrificial death. How we should appreciate that love!
M
mee
Guest
This may surprise you, but it is a fact that religious articles and symbolisms used in ancient pagan Babylon and Egypt are in use today in many "Christian" homes.
It is high time for those who want to be true Christians to clean house, religiously speaking.—Acts 17:29-31.
It is high time for those who want to be true Christians to clean house, religiously speaking.—Acts 17:29-31.
juantoo3
....whys guy.... ʎʇıɹoɥʇnɐ uoıʇsǝnb
But mee, even if you happen to hit it correctly some of the time doesn't mean you hit it correctly all of the time.
I struggle with some of the iconography too, but the lesson that lies behind the iconography is often what is important. I am somewhat in agreement, worshipping a cross is almost like worshipping an electric chair or a hangman's noose. But Christians aren't supposed to worship the symbol...even so, the symbol helps recall the lesson attached.
Were the early Christians who had to meet in secret acting sinfully by using the fish symbol among themselves to let each other know when and where to meet? I think no more sinful than a certain denomination using a castle rampart to signify their weekly doctrinal magazine...wouldn't you say?
M
mee
Guest
M
mee
Guest
The Bible, however, sets forth no visible symbol for Christianity.
Christians today, therefore, must be on guard not to adopt such a symbol.
For example, watchtower-like designs appear on some buildings and Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
There is nothing wrong with these in themselves.
Possibly they may help persons to identify property owned by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
However, at no time should anyone look upon such things with reverence, as if they were a visible sign of Christianity.
rather , what Jesus taught to recognize his followers was this in JOHN 13;35
by this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves."—John 13: 35.
While visible symbols have always been a feature of non-Biblical religions, they were absent from Christianity at its beginning.
As in the first century C.E., so today, true Christians must conform to the Scriptural standard: "We are walking by faith, not by sight."—2 Cor. 5:7.
Christians today, therefore, must be on guard not to adopt such a symbol.
For example, watchtower-like designs appear on some buildings and Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
There is nothing wrong with these in themselves.
Possibly they may help persons to identify property owned by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
However, at no time should anyone look upon such things with reverence, as if they were a visible sign of Christianity.
rather , what Jesus taught to recognize his followers was this in JOHN 13;35
by this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves."—John 13: 35.
While visible symbols have always been a feature of non-Biblical religions, they were absent from Christianity at its beginning.
As in the first century C.E., so today, true Christians must conform to the Scriptural standard: "We are walking by faith, not by sight."—2 Cor. 5:7.
M
mee
Guest
why its good bible based reading . and its very good
i cant wait to read my new mags . just as litral watchtowers enabled a person to observe developments from afar , so that mag shows mee the significance of world events in the light of bible prophecies, and its thrilling times we are living in
It's a symbol youv'e come to depend upon first and foremost. It is your Icon. Your idolatry is a magazine written by men with a specific agenda, and not necessarrily that of God's.why its good bible based reading . and its very good
just as litral watchtowers enabled a person to observe developments from afar , so that mag shows mee the significance of world events in the light of bible prophecies, and its thrilling times we are living in
You appear to be as guilty as the rest of us pertaining to leaning on symbols...
juantoo3
....whys guy.... ʎʇıɹoɥʇnɐ uoıʇsǝnb
You didn't answer my question.
I'll even beg to differ with this comment too. Letters are symbols all by their little lonesome. Look at how alphabets...in particular the Hebrew alphabet...came into being. EACH different letter *is* a symbol that originally stood for something. Still does, only now that something has become something else.
So, my comment still stands. Symbols help recall the lesson attached, *especially* Bible teaching.
Now, were the early Christians wrong to use the symbol of the fish?
Straight answer, no sliding around the outside to avoid it.
M
mee
Guest
M
mee
Guest
The Bible, however, sets forth no visible symbol for Christianity. so christians dont need to adopt it . i think it is more a case of being fishers of men .
Hi Mee,
The Bible, however, sets forth no visible symbol for Christianity. so christians dont need to adopt it . i think it is more a case of being fishers of men .
This certainly looks like sliding.
Hi,
Is this a case of symbols and idols being the same thing? Websters defines them slightly different.
idol: an image of a god, used as an object or instrument of worship.
symbol: something that stands for or represents another thing; esp., and object used to represent something abstract; emblem
The Bible isn't silent on the issue of idols. From the NASB Exodus 20
3:"You shall have no other gods before Me.
4:"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
5:"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord you G!d, am a jealous G!d, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,
6:but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Moses teaches the children of Israel to use symbols. Deut 6
6:"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
7:"you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
8:"You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
9:"you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
So it looks like symbols yes, idols no.
.02
Joe
Is this a case of symbols and idols being the same thing? Websters defines them slightly different.
idol: an image of a god, used as an object or instrument of worship.
symbol: something that stands for or represents another thing; esp., and object used to represent something abstract; emblem
The Bible isn't silent on the issue of idols. From the NASB Exodus 20
3:"You shall have no other gods before Me.
4:"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
5:"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord you G!d, am a jealous G!d, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,
6:but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Moses teaches the children of Israel to use symbols. Deut 6
6:"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
7:"you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
8:"You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
9:"you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
So it looks like symbols yes, idols no.
.02
Joe
M
mee
Guest
Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.
And you must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force.
And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. deut ; 6; 4-7
juantoo3
....whys guy.... ʎʇıɹoɥʇnɐ uoıʇsǝnb
Ah, mee! You are so predictable. Not even a simple yes or no answer. This isn't even close to what I asked.The Bible, however, sets forth no visible symbol for Christianity. so christians dont need to adopt it . i think it is more a case of being fishers of men .
Bull'seye! OOOOPS! That's a symbol too...
That is the mistake our dear mee is making, in my humble opinion, not realizing the difference between a symbol (without which communication is impossible) and an idol. When a symbol is worshipped or adored inordinately and becomes an idol; then it is not correct. I see this on occasion when some people develop a superstitious attachment to religious symbols and icons. But by and large most Christians don't "worship" a cross, or worship a book called the Bible. But both of these are symbols, and the Bible is both symbol and conveyor of symbols, with great meaning to a Christian.