on October 27th. Jesus and His disciples took breaks and we believe in following His example.
The Sign of the Fish
Do you know what offends me?
You’ve no doubt seen the sign of the fish on some peoples’ car bumpers. It is one of Christianity’s oldest symbols. You may have also seen another sticker, presumably in response to it. The second one shows the fish with what must be a Darwinian amphibian, mouth wide open, consuming the symbol of Christianity.
That offends me.
Please understand; I am not suggesting that an atheist or proponent of Darwinist ideas has no right to express his views. Nor am I fearful of Christians’ ability to stand in the debate with Darwinists and survive. Don’t worry, truth has nothing to fear, and the Genesis account of creation is the truth.
Consider, however, the sign of the fish for a moment.
Early Christians formed an acrostic in Greek out of various names given to Jesus. These were, Iesus (Jesus), Christus (Christ), Theos (God), huios (son), soter (savior). The first letter of each name formed the Greek word for “fish” – (ichthus). The symbol consisted of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish.
In the first centuries of Christianity, when persecution was heavy, spies were a distinct possibility. Was the stranger in worship a secret representative of the Roman Empire seeking to infiltrate the church and identify Christians, or was he what he claimed to be, simply a disciple from another region? One member would trace half an arch in the sand, and if the other person understood the symbol, he would trace the other arch, thus forming the sign of the fish.
The early church – your brothers and sisters – lived in dangerous times. They exhibited stunning levels of courage and faithfulness to God. They should be an inspiration to us today. I am amazed in a day of political correctness, when one can hardly name a trait that might or might not be characteristic of an ethnic group or nationality, when a cartoon of Mohammed can cause riots in a dozen cities, that this sad, scary time of repression against Christians is used so derisively.
Debate Christians on the merits of our beliefs if you wish. But please don’t mock this period when it was illegal to be a Christian, and when countless hundreds of thousands died unjustly for their faith.
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold the devil is about to throw some of you in prison, that you might be tested, and for ten days you will receive persecution. Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life,” (Revelation 2:10, ESV).
–by Stan Mitchell