Beth-El Baptist Church

03/06/2011

Greg Tomlinson


Is it ok to have pictures or statues that represent Jesus?


Roman Catholicism, Greek Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox (to name some) utilize pictures, statues and other “icons” in their churches and in their worship services. To some, the adherents of these faith systems use these “icons” to remember the Biblical events and people. It could be as examples to follow or historical events that are to be continually remembered for the purpose of giving thanks. To others, the adherents of these faith systems actually worship these “icons” so they need to be purged from the churches and especially the worship services.


  1. Why might having icons be a bad thing to have?

Exodus 20:1-6; 32:1-6 Deuteronomy 5:6-10

Judges 8:22-27; 17:1-6 1 Kings 12:26-30

2 Kings 21:1-12 Jeremiah 44:15-23

Matthew 6:24 Isaiah 44:9-10


Icons can be bad because God commands that they not be used. Icons can also be a very bad thing because they can very easily draw your attention away from the one and only true God. The person might say that they are worshiping YHWH when in reality they are worshiping a god of their own imagination and creation.


  1. Why might having icons be a good thing to have?

Joshua 4:5-7, 21-24 Exodus 12:24-27

Genesis 9:12-16 Exodus 25:17-22; 28:31-35

Numbers 21:6-9 1 Kings 7:23-27


Assembled stones and carvings were often used as memory devices for covenants. Both the tabernacle and the temple had many carved images and bronze casts and woven images as decreed by God placed throughout them. If God commanded such images to be made, and they were images of angels, cattle, and pomegranates, surely there is more to the prohibition than an all or nothing thing.


  1. How can someone tell the difference between the “good” and the “bad” use?

Colossians 3:5-6 Numbers 21:6-9 cmp 2 Kings 18:1-4

1 Corinthians 8:4-13


The issue with the use of some sort of picture or statue of Jesus or events in the life of Jesus is what it means to people. As a reminder of historical events to recall the work and power of God, the scriptures point out that it is proper. The problem is when people take it beyond that and to worshiping the image. Just as God had Moses create an image of a serpent for the good of the people to understand that it was their sin that brought the serpents and by believing God and having faith in him, then the effects of the serpent were removed just as God said. But the people viewed the image of the serpents as more than just a reminder of the the power and might of God. They viewed the image of the serpents as through it was “God” and worthy of worship. Even today, the problem is that people view the images as more than reminders when they pray to them, bow before them and make offerings of some sort to them. As Christians, we need to be careful that we do not make others stumble. Many images of Jesus and Mary and the “Saints” have taken on more of a significance than is proper. It is because we seek to be Holy as God is Holy and we do not want others to be led astray by them that we do not have such images in our houses.


  1. What about such images in the church building?

2 Kings 16:10-18 1 Samuel 5:1-6

Matthew 16:24-27 1 Corinthians 1:17-20; 2:1-5

Philippians 2:5-11


Within the church, the focus is to be upon Jesus Christ and Him crucified. History has shown that the images that are brought in do not further the message of Christ and His saving power. All that the church service should be focused upon is that which is accomplished by way of the cross. The cross is the only real reminder of what it cost God to provide forgiveness of sins for mankind.