I. The cross and its significance
II. Prefigured in the Old Testament
III. Shape of the cross seen in nature and in human activities
I. The cross and its significance
And he that takes not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor. 1:18
He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Col. 2:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Gal. 6:14
The cross was to express grace by the letter “T.” Barnabas (c. 70–130, E), 1.143
My spirit is made an offscouring for the Cross, which is a stumbling-block to them that are unbelievers, but to us salvation and life eternal. ”Where is the wise? Where is the disputer?”Where is the boasting of them that are called prudent? Ignatius: to the Ephesians (A.D. 35-105) ch.18
(Addressed to the Jews) And you yourselves, if you will confess the truth, must acknowledge that we, who have been called by God through the despised and shameful mystery of the cross (for the confession of which, and obedience to which, and for our piety, punishments even to death have been inflicted on us by demons, and by the host of the devil, through the aid ministered to them by you), and endure all torments rather than deny Christ even by word, through whom we are called to the salvation prepared beforehand by the Father, are more faithful to God than you. Justin Martyr (A.D. 150) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.1 pg. 265
By means of a tree, we were made debtors to God. Likewise, by means of a tree [the cross], we can obtain the remission of our debt. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.545
For that He did not say this with reference to the acknowledging of the (cross) above, as some among them venture to expound, but with respect to the suffering which He should Himself undergo, and that His disciples should endure, He implies when He says, “For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever will lose, shall find it. And that His disciples must suffer for His sake, He [implied when He] said to the Jews, “Behold, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them you shall kill and crucify.” And to the disciples He was wont to say, “And you shall stand before governors and kings for My sake; and they shall scourge some of you, and slay you, and persecute you from city to city.” He knew, therefore, both those who should suffer persecution, and He knew those who should have to be scourged and slain because of Him; and He did not speak of any other cross, but of the suffering which He should Himself undergo first, and His disciples afterwards. For this purpose did He give them this exhortation: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to send both soul and body into hell;” [thus exhorting them] to hold fast those professions of faith which they had made in reference to Him. Irenaeus (A.D. 180) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.1 pg. 447
And for this reason, indeed, when at this present time the law is read to the Jews, it is like a fable; for they do not possess the explanation of all things pertaining to the advent of the Son of God, which took place in human nature; but when it is read by the Christians, it is a treasure, hid indeed in a field, but brought to light by the cross of Christ, and explained, both enriching the understanding of men, and showing forth the wisdom of God. Irenaeus (A.D. 180) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.1 pg. 496
He knows accurately the declaration, “Unless you hate father and mother, and besides your own life, and unless you bear the sign [of the cross].” For he hates the inordinate affection: of the flesh, which possess the powerful spell of pleasure; and entertains a noble contempt for all that belongs to the creation and nutriment of the flesh. He also withstands the corporeal soul, putting a bridle-bit on the restive irrational spirit: “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit.” And “to bear the sign of [the cross]” is to bear about death, by taking farewell of all things while still alive; since there is not equal love in “having sown the flesh,” and in having formed the soul for knowledge. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.546
We neither worship nor wish for crosses. Mark Minucius Felix (c. 200, W), 4.191
In the same way the martyrs bear witness for a testimony to the unbelieving, and so do all the saints whose deeds shine before men. They spend their life rejoicing in the cross of Christ and bearing witness to the true light. Origen (248 A.D.) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.9 pg. 343
II. Prefigured in the Old Testament
And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Mosesí hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Ex. 17:11-12
Go through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark [Gr. tau] on the foreheads of the men that groan and that grieve for all the iniquities that are done in the midst of them. Ezek 9:4 (LXX). [NOTE: THE GREEK LETTER TAU, EQUIVALENT TO THE ENGLISH CAPITAL “T,” IS IN THE SHAPE OF A CROSS.]
The Spirit spoke to the heart of Moses, that he should make a figure of the cross. . . . Moses therefore placed one weapon above another in the midst of the hill, and standing upon it, so as to be higher than all the people, he stretched forth his hands, and thus again Israel acquired the mastery. Barnabas (c. 70–130, E), 1.145
The lamb, which is roasted, is roasted and dressed up in the form of the cross. For one spit pierces right through from the lower parts up to the head, and another one pierces the lamb across the back, to which are attached the legs of the lamb. Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.215
Moses himself prayed to God, stretching out both hands, and Hur with Aaron supported them during the whole day. . . . For if he gave up any part of this sign, which was an imitation of the cross, the people were beaten. Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.244
Why, again, did the same Moses—after the prohibition of any “likeness of anything”—display a bronze serpent, placed on a tree in a hanging posture? . . . In this case he was displaying the Lord’s cross on which the [real] serpent, the devil, was made a show of. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.166
“He said unto him, ‘Pass through the midst of Jerusalem and write the sign Tau on the foreheads of the men who groan and grieve over all the enormities that are done in their midst.’” . . . Now the mystery of this sign was in various ways predicted, in which the foundation of life was prepared for mankind. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.168
Jacob also signified [Christ] by placing his hands crossed upon his sons. . . . From placing his hands in this manner, he thus foreshadowed the figure and form of the future passion. Novatian (c. 235, W), 5.631
By this sign of the cross, Amalek was also conquered by Jesus through Moses. . . . “And it came to pass that when Moses lifted up his hands, Israel prevailed. But when Moses had let down his hands, Amalek prevailed.” . . . In this sign of the cross, there is salvation for all the people who are marked on their foreheads. In Ezekiel, the Lord says: “Pass through the midst of Jerusalem, and you will mark the sign upon the men’s foreheads who groan and grieve for the iniquities that are done.” Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.525
Moses, when he was attacked, stretched forth his hands and fought against Amalek. And when we were attacked and were perishing by the violence of that sinning spirit who still works in the unrighteous, Jesus stretched forth His hands upon the cross and gave us salvation. Disputation of Archelaus and Manes (c. 320, E), 6.220
III. Shape of the cross seen in nature and in human activities
This shows no other form than that of the cross. . . . The power of this form is shown by your own symbols on what are called banners and trophies. Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.181
Concerning the Son of God, in the Timaeus of Plato, he says, “He placed him crosswise in the universe.” . . . And Moses, by the inspiration and influence of God, took brass, and made it into the figure of a cross. Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.183
If any of you think we render superstitious adoration to the cross, in that adoration he is a sharer with us. . . . The camp religion of the Romans is thoroughly a worship of the standards, for the standards are set above all gods. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.31
In its material, a cross is a sign of wood. Among yourselves the object of worship is also a wooden figure. The difference between us is that with you [Romans] the figure is a human one. With us, the wood is its own figure. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.122
Every piece of timber that is fixed in the ground in an erect position is a part of a cross, and indeed the greater portion of its mass. But an entire cross is attributed to us, with its transverse beam, of course, and its projecting seat. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.122