Speak Your Mind.
- Thread starter oldhermit
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
G
My understanding of "where the Christian fish came from":
During extreme persecution in the early years, the 'Christian Fish' became an iconic form of identification for the "underground" Christians of that time. The first person would "doodle" an arc in the dirt / sand -- and, the second person would "complete" the fish symbol by drawing the other arc - as an "answer" to the question posed by the first person:
"Are you a Christian?"
Anyone not understanding the first arc would not know to "complete" it -- it would simply be "doodle" in the dirt / sand.
During extreme persecution in the early years, the 'Christian Fish' became an iconic form of identification for the "underground" Christians of that time. The first person would "doodle" an arc in the dirt / sand -- and, the second person would "complete" the fish symbol by drawing the other arc - as an "answer" to the question posed by the first person:
"Are you a Christian?"
Anyone not understanding the first arc would not know to "complete" it -- it would simply be "doodle" in the dirt / sand.
Y
Concerning the teaching of the biblical fish; Every word Jesus spoke, every place that He went, and every thing that He did was and is the fulfillment of the words of the prophets and the law. I used the word 'is' because it is present tense when a person repents, picks up their cross and follow Him. The Law is being fulfilled in that person as he or she follows. I did not fully understand that until I was shown the meaning of the coin in the fish's mouth. It helps if you participate as you examine what is taking place in this story. When I use (two parts) use your left hand and form a large 'c' and at the same time use your right hand to form a backwards 'c'. After you do this, you will be picturing a coin of two parts as you bring them together to form one coin rather than two parts. In the Old Testament, there is a prophet named Moses who gave a command (law) that those who are called in from the field to be counted in the census of God's people (they were strangers to the temple, not yet counted in the census); AFTER they are counted, they are to give (two parts) a half a shekel according to the (whole) shekel of the sanctuary, as a memorial to the things God has just done by His own hand. What is a memorial? It is a WITNESS. In the New Testament, Jesus asked Peter, "Who pays the temple tax (tax is not the best word to use), sons or strangers?" Peter answered correctly "STRANGERS" Jesus said then the sons are free, go down to the water, (here comes the christian fish) lower a hook, take the first fish that comes up and remove the (two parts) coin from its mouth and give it (remember the law) to the temple priests (coin of two parts) for Me and for you." You were a stranger to God's temple until the day the word of God called out to you, to come and be counted in the census of His people. The moment you opened your mouth and gave witness of the things God had just done in our life, is the fulfillment of that law which Jesus caused to be fulfilled within you...,and you did not know it until just now. This is the very moment I understood what had taken place in my life, and I was excited to give witness, a tribute, a lasting memorial to the things which law could not do until Jesus, our King and High Priest, gave eternal meaning to those whose lives are changed forever. So the next time you see the image of the christian fish, know that you should never fear to say His name, even in the face of adversity. What good would it be to save your life and lose your very soul. This is my fish story. Some are not able to see this; I am not the least disappointed by that. It is not my time that the witness comes to life for a person who hears the witness. Thank you for allowing me to tell this fish story. Being able to give witness overcomes any difficulties I might have. What an honor.
