Are Pictures of Christ Unbiblical?

By: Brian Schwertley

In our day it is very common to see pictures of Christ in churches and in homes. Images of the Savior are commonly found on stained glass windows, church entry rooms, Christian school classrooms, living rooms, book covers, Charismatic television programs, church billboards, family Bibles and on the wall behind the pulpit. The vast majority of “Christian” bookstores sell a wide variety of pictures of Jesus. There is everything from the effeminate northern European Messiah to the grotesquely muscular Hulk-like renditions of the Lord. Even in Reformed churches (which ought to know better) pictures of the suffering servant are fairly common in Sunday school materials. Do representations of God’s Son violate Scripture or are such pictures merely works of art that are perfectly acceptable as long as they are not worshiped or used as aids to worship? Keep in mind that low church Protestants who use pictures of Christ insist that the pictures are not used in religious worship at all. They at the most (we are told) are merely artistic renditions used for educational purposes.

While many people who use pictures of Jesus are very sincere and do not bow down to such images, nevertheless the use of such images is unlawful and sinful. There are many reasons why the use of pictures of Christ is unscriptural.

First, the use of pictures of our Lord is a violation of the second commandment. This commandment says, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image – any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Ex. 20: 4-5).

This commandment forbids worshiping rank idols or images of God or any image of anything created. It also forbids the use of images as aids to worship or devotion. Papists for example, would say that they do not worship a crucifix or statue of Christ but that such images are aids or mediums through which to worship the Son of God. “Romanists make images of God the Father, painting him in their church windows as an old man; and an image of Christ on the crucifix; and, because it is against the letter of this commandment, they sacrilegiously blot it out of their catechism, and divide the tenth commandment into two.”

Read more-->HERE.

Day 335...a wee more

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Acts 20:21)

That is an easily delivered presentation.

Saint:  Repent to God, have faith in Jesus Christ.

Sinner:  Repent, why?

I was browsing for a site which would give information about why someone would need to repent and found this one.  Why would anyone want to repent if they think they have no sin, are not aware of it, or have no clue as to their eternal destination?  The easy believism that is prevalent in our 'churches' today make people think they are 'saved' when in reality they may be deceived.

2Pe 1:10  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

The above verse obviously needs to be read in context...which I prayerfully hope all will avail themselves.  We can not earn our salvation...we do not get to choose, no matter how much we may 'think' we have, in reality, HE chose us.  We do, however, have a responsibility to grow in our relationship with Him.  You can not truly know someone unless you spend time with them.

Pondering on the prophecy concerning Paul and the trials that awaited him in Jerusalem.  Father gave him warning over and over again.  It sometimes helps to have a mental mindset for the worst case scenario (for me anyway) in order to deal with trials and tribulations.  Paul had no qualms about continuing to Jerusalem.

The elders in Jerusalem exhort Paul to show that he walks orderly and keeps the law.  (Acts 21:24)

They then reiterate that the Gentiles are to:  Keep themselves from idols ~ from blood ~ from strangled ~ from fornication.  (Acts 21:25).

The first passage regarding the prohibitions the Gentiles were to avoid included that they (the Gentiles) would hear Moses preached in the synagogue.


Act 15:21  For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

That passage keeps reverberating within my mind and soul.  Is there significance to why the church elders were satisfied with only the 4 prohibitions, knowing and/or thinking that those who were regenerated would be instructed from the teachings and writings of the OT?  Again that verse:

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4


Beloved of the Lord, are you giving due diligence to study to show yourself approved?  A workman that needeth not to be ashamed?  Taking in the whole counsel of the Word of God?

Day 324

J. Book of 1 Corinthians (from Ephesus) ~ cont.

1. Paul's concern for the church in Corinth ~ cont.

e. The immoral believer rebuked - 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

f. Lawsuits rebuked - 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
2. Pattern for a prosperous church
a. The body is sacred, God's temple - 1 Corinthians 6:9-20
b. Marriage is from God - 1 Corinthians 7:1-40
c. Refuse meat offered to idols - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13


Judge not that ye be not judged - or some variation of this statement is made by those who question whether a Christian is allowed to have a standard.  Which in reality should be HIS standard, we're just holding the line.  :-)


Father is quite clear in His word:  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13a)


The saints are to judge - but those within the body.  We can not, or should not expect those who are spiritually dead to have our standard or even understand why there is a standard.  They are unregenerate, lost, wandering in darkness.  However, we should not allow those types of comments to intimidate or sway us from what Father has called us to do.  Even if they come from those who call themselves 'Christians.'


Those who will NOT inherit the kingdom of God:
fornicators
idolaters
adulterers
effeminate
abusers
thieves
covetous
drunkards
revilers
extortioners


10 = law - I wonder how this list meshes with the 10 words?  :-O Another topic to research...later.


Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise let every woman have her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7:3)


benevolence - G2133 - From the same as G2132; kindness; euphemistically conjugal duty.  G2132 - From a compound of G2095 and G3563; to be well minded, that is, reconcile.


I thought it interesting that the husband is the first to initiate - setting the example - leading.


Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7:19)


Gill's commentary:  but the keeping of the commandments of God; that is something; not that the commands of God, and the observance of them, are of any avail to procure the pardon of sin, acceptance with God, justification in his sight, and eternal salvation; yet they are of moment, as they are the commands and ordinances of God; and ought to be kept in faith and fear, as they were delivered from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God; and though for keeping of them there is no reward of debt, yet in keeping of them there is a reward of grace; peace of mind is had, and the presence of God enjoyed; obedience to them, upon Gospel principles and motives, is a fruit of grace, an evidence of faith, and of the new creature; it is the ornament of a Christian profession, and is profitable to men.


keeping - G5084 - From G5083; a watching, that is, (figuratively) observance, or (concretely) a prison.  G5083 is lengthy, condensing: watch, guard, keep the eye upon, prevent escaping, implies a fortress, detain - worth the time to read.)


commandments - G1785 - From G1781; injunction, that is, an authoritative prescription.


I like that:  prescription - Pre = before, script = to write.  Written prior for our edification, education and exhortation.


Knowledge (1108) puffeth up (5448), but charity (26) edifieth (3618).  If any man think that he knoweth (1492) anything, he knoweth (1097) nothing (3762) yet as he ought to know. But if any man love (25) God, the same is known (1097) of him.  (1 Corinthians 8:1b-3)


knowledge - G1108 - From G1097; knowing (the act), that is, (by implication) knowledge.


puffeth up - G5448 - From G5449 in the primary sense of blowing; to inflate, that is, (figuratively) make proud (haughty).


charity - G26 - From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast.


edifieth - G3618 - From the same as G3619; to be a house builder, that is, construct or (figuratively) confirm.


knoweth - G1492 - A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, G3700 and G3708; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know.


ha - different word, translated the same, interesting...


knoweth - G1097 - A prolonged form of a primary verb; to “know” (absolutely), in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as shown at left, with others not thus clearly expressed).


nothing - G3762 - From G3761 and G1520; not even one (man, woman or thing), that is, none, nobody, nothing.


love - G25 - Perhaps from ἄγαν agan (much; or compare [H5689]); to love (in a social or moral sense).


Lord, help Your Bride not to be bloated intellectually, but lacking in love one for another.  Father, the return of Your son draws closer with the passing of each day, help us to be prepared, to be about Your work, to diligently pray, to be a light among those who are perishing.  Help us to be cleansed and prepared for the Master's return.