<--- This symbol?

[thejdubb02]

I am sure this has been asked before. Why exactly is this (the fish) the symbol of Christianity?

 

[jckstraw72]

i believe its bc the first letters for the words "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God" in Greek, spell fish

 

[Lynn73]

Something like that. It's kind of like we use MADD to stand for Mothers against Drunk Driving. They use the Greek word for fish which, I think, is IXOYE and it stand sfor Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior. That's my understanding anyway.

 

[Advent Christian]

Hello thejdubb02;
While I am certain there is far more reason to the use of the fish’s origin then I am aware of, I love the application of it’s symbol. Christians are sent forth to be fishers of men with Christ standing as the original fisherman.
As for me and my family, we are happy and thankful to be caught fish.
As always my love to all and May God Bless.

 

[icxn]

Fish in Greek is &#921;&#935;&#920;&#933;&#931;, which matches the abbreviation of: &#921;&#951;&#963;&#959;&#973;&#962; &#935;&#961;&#953;&#963;&#964;&#972;&#962;, &#920;&#949;&#959;&#973; &#933;&#953;&#972;&#962; &#931;&#969;&#964;&#942;&#961;, i.e. Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior.

 

[eoe]

icxn has it right.

 

[revrobor]

I am sure this has been asked before. Why exactly is this (the fish) the symbol of Christianity?

It came into being in response to Jesus words "...I will make you fishers of men..." The cross was considered a horrible form of execution and was not used by the early followers of Jesus.

 

[ps139]

The cross was considered a horrible form of execution and was not used by the early followers of Jesus.

By 225 AD the sign of the cross was already in common practice.

 

[godsgirl4ever]

it was the early sign for the cross

 

[Peter]

It came into being in response to Jesus words "...I will make you fishers of men..." The cross was considered a horrible form of execution and was not used by the early followers of Jesus.

"I preach Christ, and HIM CRUCIFIED, folly for the gentiles and a stubling block for the Jews."

With all respect for your age, you are wrong on this one.

The Reader Peter

 

[revrobor]

"I preach Christ, and HIM CRUCIFIED, folly for the gentiles and a stubling block for the Jews."

With all respect for your age, you are wrong on this one.

The Reader Peter

For the first couple of hundred years the sign of the cross was not used by Jesus' followers. What's your point? I'm wrong about what?

 

[HolyGuardianAngels]

I am sure this has been asked before. Why exactly is this (the fish) the symbol of Christianity?

Hi . . .

I like to think of it, as an emphatic reminder . . . to eat fish on Fridays, during Lent.







Let freedom ring!!

 

[Inviolable]

Hi . . .

I like to think of it, as an emphatic reminder . . . to eat fish on Fridays, during Lent.







Let freedom ring!!

I know this may not be correct, but there is a story I know of that I like.
Has was stated before the Greek spelling did play a role in the fish symbol. I know that in turbulent times Christians needed a way to identify each other, so they would scribble pictures in the dirt. One picture would be the fish. If a non-Christian came along and saw the pictures it would be nothing more to them then scribbles.
Which would appear to them as someone who is simply passing the time by scribbling in the dirt.

 

[jckstraw72]

ive also heard that

 

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

For the first couple of hundred years the sign of the cross was not used by Jesus' followers. I'm wrong about what?

Actually, the sign of the Corss was made by many of the early Martyrs as a witness to the Faith and to identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. Even today, only followers of Jesus Christ make the sign of the Cross.