John Stott

It was Constantine, the first emperor to profess to be a Christian, who gave added impetus to the use of the cross symbol.

It was Constantine, the first emperor to profess to be a Christian, who gave added impetus to the use of the cross symbol.

he saw a cross of light in the sky, along with the words in hoc signo vinces (‘conquer by this sign’). He immediately adopted it as his emblem, and had it emblazoned on the standards of his army.

Crucifixion seems to have been invented by ‘barbarians’ on the edge of the known world, and taken over from them by both Greeks and Romans. It is probably the most cruel method of execution ever practised, for it deliberately delayed death until maximum torture had been inflicted.