THE CROSS: A UNIVERSAL SYMBOL OF CHRISTIANITY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT TO THE CHRISTIANS.

 Abodunrin, Adeniyi Olufemi

Department Religious Studies

Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji_Arakeji, Osun State

E mail: femiabodunrin93@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Every religion and ideology has its visual symbol which illustrates   a significant feature of its   history or believes. Christianity then is no exception in having a visual symbol. Cross   is an instrument for execution consisting of an upright beam left permanently in the ground surmounted by a cross- beam, Which might  also  be attached a little below the top of the  upright .The condemned prisoner himself  carried the   platinum to  the  place of  execution , where he  was  stripped naked. , his arms were bound to the cross beam and his legs left suspended until   he died of thirst or starvation.  crucifixion  was  unknown  in  Israel during  Old  Testament  times , it was normally used by  the  Persia. from where  the Greeks  and Romans adopted it .The work or the paper  will feature, the  importance of   the symbol .though it was initially associated with the accused person , The  paper will as  well  look  into  the facts  that  surrounded  Jesus  crucifixion ,for instance the medical knowledge  was not very advanced at that time ;even that , the disciples were ignorant, which it  was  said that resurrection was claimed instead of  resuscitation from the  dead ;Though, the cross  was  initially rejected or avoided due to its direct association with the execution of a common criminal.