When the expression “the cross” is used, it is used generally as a metaphor, like the gallows or the guillotine might be in later times.  The cross stands as a symbol of what Jesus accomplished.  When writing to the Galatians, Paul used the expression “the cross” to capture in just two words the image of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the entire world. “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).

We must also consider the Roman crucifixion procedure as it was used for capital punishment.  The term “crucifixion” is based on the Latin word “crux,” which means cross.  In English versions of the Bible, we read that Jesus was crucified on a cross (stauros in Greek).  Stauros refers to a pole with or without a crosspiece.  Acts 5:30 and 10:39 tell us that Jesus was put to death on a tree (xulon in Greek).  This word can mean a tree, club, stick or other wooden article. 

Though information is limited, historical and archaeological evidence shows that the Romans generally used a crossbar, not a vertical post alone, when crucifying individuals.  This crossbar either sat on top of the vertical post or traversed it somewhere along its upper quadrant.  The beam that Jesus was made to carry (John 19:17), and that Simon from Cyrene carried for him after Jesus collapsed in exhaustion (Luke 23:26), was most likely the crosspiece that was later affixed to the upright pole or tree.  There is no indication in the Gospels that Jesus’ crucifixion was in any way different from the normal Roman crucifixion.  The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology states:  “It seems that the Gospel accounts of the death of Jesus describe a standard Roman procedure for crucifixion” (page 287).  We may conclude that the implement used in the standard Roman crucifixion did form some sort of cross-like shape.

The shape of the cross of Christ is not what is important.  What occurred there, as the Son of God gave his life to pay for the sins of all humanity, is of momentous consequence.  For all who will believe in Christ and accept him as Saviour and Lord, His sacrifice reconciles us to God and saves us from the death penalty our sinful lives have incurred.

As the second of God’s Ten Commandments strictly prohibits the use of objects in worship, the United Church of God does not use the figure or image of a cross in its worship services or teach the practice of “crossing oneself” following prayer. Neither do United Church of God members wear crosses as symbols of devotion. We refer to the cross in the way that the Scripture refers to it—that is, either as a direct reference to the instrument used to take our Saviour’s life, or as a figure of speech symbolising Christ’s atoning death for us.