Why don't protestants make the sign of the Cross?

[Cis.jd]

"In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"

I wonder why Protestants do not do this? I know that it's not made a rule in scripture, but I feel it's a part of christian history that should never be broken. It shows that our faith was always the Trinity, despite the lies that many cults and other religions claim. For example, Islam, Jehovah's wittness, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Mormons, etc all claim an original Christian church that never believed in Christ's divinity or the Trinity, but this sign serves to be a historical remembrance that we always did.

The reason why I have made this question and why I ended up thinking that this gesture has to be universally expressed by christians is mainly because of my experience with christian cults. I've been to JW's and the Iglesia Ni Cristo services, and they are very frightening and disheartening.. and despite them teaching false things about the Bible and rejecting the divinity, they for some reason end their prayers with "In Jesus' name", the way protestants do.
These cults will never end with the sign of the cross, they will never say "the Father, Son, and HS" because they fully reject the truth of God. Because of this, I feel that the sign of the cross gesture has to be seen as important to protestants as well.

 

[RileyG]

Some Anglicans, Episcopalians, and Lutherans do.

Presbyterian, Methodist, and Reformed use it during Baptism.

Congregationalist never do.

Many would consider it superstition and non-Biblical.

Although it is mostly associated with Roman Catholics, the Eastern churches (Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Ancient Church of the East) do it far more often during their liturgy and devotional life.

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

I'm a Protestant and didn't even know that some people don't use that phrase. Interesting

 

[FireDragon76]

Lutherans do. So do some Anglicans.

 

[Cis.jd]

Many would consider it superstition and non-Biblical.

Superstition?
I would like to hear from protestants as to why it being "non-biblical" means anything, especially since it's a historic gesture of the faith.

 

[RileyG]

Superstition?
I would like to hear from protestants as to why it being "non-biblical" means anything, especially since it's a historic gesture of the faith.

They think it’s a “good look charm.”

 

[RileyG]

Lutherans do. So do some Anglicans.

You’re right, but I will add, from my experience, ELCA and LCMS Lutherans never made the sign of the cross outside of Church or during their devotional time. They considered it a “Catholic thing.”

I remember once we had our neighbor Helen over, God rest her soul, a lifelong Lutheran who was ELCA. During our grace before meals (Catholic version) during thanksgiving supper one year, she did not cross herself as we prayed.

(She was in her 90s then and her family lived far away)

 

[PloverWing]

They considered it a “Catholic thing.”

I suspect this is a major reason. In some branches of Protestantism, historically there's been suspicion of anything that looks too Catholic. As hot tempers have cooled over the centuries, I've seen this suspicion diminish, and feelings are generally friendlier now. But in the meantime, generations of Baptist and Presbyterian children have grown up without the habit of making the sign of the cross, so it's not something that would occur to them unless they're intentionally adopting some Catholic practices.

 

[RileyG]

I suspect this is a major reason. In some branches of Protestantism, historically there's been suspicion of anything that looks too Catholic. As hot tempers have cooled over the centuries, I've seen this suspicion diminish, and feelings are generally friendlier now. But in the meantime, generations of Baptist and Presbyterian children have grown up without the habit of making the sign of the cross, so it's not something that would occur to them unless they're intentionally adopting some Catholic practices.

Well said.

You’re completely right.

They probably wouldn’t make the sign of the cross unless they converted to Catholicism or Orthodoxy or converted to a liturgical Protestant sect such as Lutheranism, Anglicanism, or Episcopalianism.

 

[d taylor]

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Well i really see no reason to. Jesus' work on the cross is finished. Personally I also can see how in many ways the cross can become more important than Jesus. The cross gives no one God's free gift of Eternal Life. It is belief in The Person Jesus which gives people God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.

The cross was the method used in Jesus' horrible death. I do not even have crosses as a possession, I just do not see the need.

I want to focus on telling people how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life, by belief in Jesus.

 

[RileyG]

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Well i really see no reason to. Jesus' work on the cross is finished. Personally I also can see how in many ways the cross can become more important than Jesus. The cross gives no one God's free gift of Eternal Life. It is belief in The Person Jesus which gives people God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.

The cross was the method used in Jesus' horrible death. I do not even have crosses as a possession, I just do not see the need.

I want to focus on telling people how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life, by belief in Jesus.

By any chance are you Jehovah Witness or Mormon?

Many, if not all, Protestants hold the empty cross in high regard and consider it the symbol of Christ’s defeat over death and sin.

Only Lutherans and Anglicans/Episcopalians hold the cross with the body of Christ as visible in their churches.

The crucifix is generally associated with Catholics.

 

[d taylor]

By any chance are you Jehovah Witness or Mormon?

Many, if not all, Protestants hold the empty cross in high regard and consider it the symbol of Christ’s defeat over death and sin.

Only Lutherans and Anglicans/Episcopalians hold the cross with the body of Christ as visible in their churches.

The crucifix is generally associated with Catholics.

No.

Why is a empty cross held in high regard. The resurrection shows Jesus' defeat over death. The cross was the method of shedding of blood, that God required for the sin of the world to be taken away.

Both played an important part to the whole of God's plan in redemption of man. But still without belief in Jesus for Eternal Life, belief in the cross saves no one.

Many people believe Jesus died on the cross for their sins, but are these same people. Believing in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life. Because that is the only way to receive Eternal Life and become a born again child of God, by belief in Jesus.

So what does believing in Jesus mean. It means to believe Jesus and who He, Jesus or other believers/disciples (Paul, Peter, Phillip, etc..) say Jesus is. Which is the resurrection and the life, The promised Messiah / Son of God*. This is the name and believing in this name. Is what gives people God's free gift of Eternal Life.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.


Do not miss believing in the name of Jesus or you will miss receiving God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.

* Messiah and Son of God are the same names of Jesus, so if you believe Jesus is The Messiah, you are also believing Jesus is the Son of God

 

[RileyG]

No.

Why is a empty cross held in high regard. The resurrection shows Jesus' defeat over death. The cross was the method of shedding of blood, that God required for the sin of the world to be taken away.

Both played an important part to the whole of God's plan in redemption of man. But still without belief in Jesus for Eternal Life, belief in the cross saves no one.

Many people believe Jesus died on the cross for their sins, but are these same people. Believing in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life. Because that is the only way to receive Eternal Life and become a born again child of God, by belief in Jesus.

So what does believing in Jesus mean. It means to believe Jesus and who He, Jesus or other believers/disciples (Paul, Peter, Phillip, etc..) say Jesus is. Which is the resurrection and the life, The promised Messiah / Son of God*. This is the name and believing in this name. Is what gives people God's free gift of Eternal Life.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.


Do not miss believing in the name of Jesus or you will miss receiving God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.

* Messiah and Son of God are the same names of Jesus, so if you believe Jesus is The Messiah, you are also believing Jesus is the Son of God

Essentially, the crucifix or the bare cross is the sign of Jesus’s resurrection and victory over sin and death.

I don’t disagree with anything you said.

It’s not an idol.

Just a reminder.

The Sign of the Cross reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice for us, and belief in the Holy Trinity.

Nothing idolatrous about it.

 

[PloverWing]

Well i really see no reason to. Jesus' work on the cross is finished. Personally I also can see how in many ways the cross can become more important than Jesus. The cross gives no one God's free gift of Eternal Life. It is belief in The Person Jesus which gives people God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.

The cross was the method used in Jesus' horrible death. I do not even have crosses as a possession, I just do not see the need.

I want to focus on telling people how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life, by belief in Jesus.

Belief is important, and evangelism is important, and I'm glad you have these gifts. Religious images and objects in the home or church, like crosses, are aids to prayer which help some people and hinder others; if you pray best in the absence of images, then do what works best for you.

Here is what the sign of the cross means to me.

In my (Episcopal) church's tradition, the Incarnation is centrally important. In Jesus, God entered into human life, and, in doing so, transformed and sanctified us. At the cross, God took on human death as well. And in the Resurrection, God through Jesus broke the power of death. It is exactly the cross -- the Incarnation, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ -- that gives us God's free gift of Eternal Life. When I make the sign of the cross over my body, I am signing my desire to be joined to Christ in his death and in his atoning, transformational work.

My church's worship is full of physical actions through which we touch God's presence. We kneel, bow, make the sign of the cross. We baptize with water and we commune with God through bread and wine. Liturgical worship is very physical.

 

[ozso]

It's because they were never taught to do it. And that's because many protestant teachers only teach Christianity from scripture. Therefore if a practice is not found in scripture, it doesn't get taught. I believe that's pretty much the case in most questions of 'why don't Protestants do said practice Catholics do?'.

 

[Cis.jd]

generations of Baptist and Presbyterian children have grown up without the habit of making the sign of the cross, so it's not something that would occur to them unless they're intentionally adopting some Catholic practices.

that must be very rare, and maybe done in one of them connect groups. I don't think their pastors would ever end the prayer with that gesture. I guess my thought on this is that the refusal of the sign of the cross is one of the protestant motto's which is to disassociate from the church as much as possible, and how their views of being far away from the catholic church is indirectly moving them further from christianity which is what lead to all these unitarian christian cults.

 

[Cis.jd]

It's because they were never taught to do it. And that's because many protestant teachers only teach Christianity from scripture. Therefore if a practice is not found in scripture, it doesn't get taught. I believe that's pretty much the case in most questions of 'why don't Protestants do said practice Catholics do?'.

Does this mean that they don't pray to the Holy Spirit?

 

[Cis.jd]

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Well i really see no reason to. Jesus' work on the cross is finished. Personally I also can see how in many ways the cross can become more important than Jesus. The cross gives no one God's free gift of Eternal Life. It is belief in The Person Jesus which gives people God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.

The cross was the method used in Jesus' horrible death. I do not even have crosses as a possession, I just do not see the need.

I want to focus on telling people how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life, by belief in Jesus.

The sign of the cross is more about reminding us that God is trinity, not that Jesus died on the cross. The gesture is in a cross because that is where our faith starts from. Christians throughout the centuries have done this, and it is what makes us christian. The christian cults who deny God being a triune God do not do this gesture, some of them even end their prayers with "in Jesus' name" with none of his divinity attached to their thoughts when saying it. Doing the sign of the cross is a complete statement of our faith that God is Trinity and our salvation is from the Father, Son and HS.

To me, the refusal to do the gesture makes the protestant closer to the heretics than to the christians of the early centuries. The JW's, INC, Mormons, etc do not mirror the early christians (as much as they claim) and you know they will not do the sign of the cross because they reject the fullness of God, why are protestants allowing their prayers to share similarities with these false prophet made cults?

 

[FireDragon76]

You’re right, but I will add, from my experience, ELCA and LCMS Lutherans never made the sign of the cross outside of Church or during their devotional time. They considered it a “Catholic thing.”

I remember once we had our neighbor Helen over, God rest her soul, a lifelong Lutheran who was ELCA. During our grace before meals (Catholic version) during thanksgiving supper one year, she did not cross herself as we prayed.

The use sometimes differs from Catholics, and varies a great deal: some are just not "wanting to be too Catholic". The higher you go in your theology and churchmanship, though, as a Lutheran, the less you tend to worry about that.

Some Lutherans, particularly of the Pietist sort, hold hands when they pray. In common with other Protestants. I have seen this done at both Lutheran and Reformed churches.

My pastor worked as a chaplain and sometimes was confused with a Catholic priest, then he had to tell people his wife was Catholic, but he was not.

 

[ozso]

Does this mean that they don't pray to the Holy Spirit?

Probably because they are following all of the instructions Jesus gave on how to pray and on what Jesus and Paul said about the Holy Spirit regarding prayer. Romans 8:26-27 seems to clearly state that the Holy Spirit interceeds for us as we pray to the Father. No one in scripture ever directs prayer to anyone other than the Father.