Bowing or worshipping an image

  • 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.
Apr 27, 2021
53
43
18
#1
Exodus chapter 20 vs 4-6 said thou shall not make any images for yourself neither bow..

My question is...

Is it good to worship Holy Mary because is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Is it also good enough having the image of our lord Jesus Christ has a portrait in our houses or in the church?



Evangelist Segun(Missionary)
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,112
4,374
113
#2
this might be a debate by those here of the RCC but Mary Mother of Jesus is blessed as the angel said she would be and we are to honor her in her obedience to the call she answered. Yet Mary said " do everything He tells you to do" John 2:5
That was said in context to Jesus.
We are not to pray to her, we are not to worship her, nor can she forgive sins or heal or save anyone. Her SON is the only one who can.

Now we are to listen to her words from the Holy Spirit recorded in John 2:5 DO what Jesus said to do. a Picture in the home of Jesus should be just that not something we pray to.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#3
Exodus chapter 20 vs 4-6 said thou shall not make any images for yourself neither bow..

My question is...

Is it good to worship Holy Mary because is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Is it also good enough having the image of our lord Jesus Christ has a portrait in our houses or in the church?



Evangelist Segun(Missionary)
People seem to either go to one extreme or the other on this because everything is technically a graven image. For example, the computer that you use to access this website is a graven image of something on Earth.

If we go with the strictest definition of what sorts of images we should avoid then we need to find a hole to crawl in, not use our imagination, or ever look at anything ever again. That can't be what God meant, but it doesn't stop people from going to that extreme.

What this means is, do not worship images, statues, serve/love idols. You can have an image of anything. The image separated from other factors amounts to nothing more than lump of plastic, wood, or whatever it's made out of.

What turns a piece of wood into an idol is what is in your heart. The purpose in your heart for images creates the idol and God forbids it.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,432
3,684
113
#4
My answer to the first question is obviously no.

I don't think having an image of the Lord Jesus is sinful necessarily. However, depending on the image a person can get a skewed idea of what He was all about. Jesus has been represented in a million different ways and in each case the artist was trying to say something about Him.

We don't have a clue what He looked like. Isaiah 53:2 says: "For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him." Apparently he was ordinary looking, just an average guy.

But I hope it would go without saying: if a person has a picture of Jesus which they worship, this is clearly crossing the line.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
#5
Exodus chapter 20 vs 4-6 said thou shall not make any images for yourself neither bow..

My question is...

Is it good to worship Holy Mary because is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Is it also good enough having the image of our lord Jesus Christ has a portrait in our houses or in the church?



Evangelist Segun(Missionary)
I believe the context is don't bow to any image or statue like what pagan did.
 
T

TheIndianGirl

Guest
#6
Exodus chapter 20 vs 4-6 said thou shall not make any images for yourself neither bow..

My question is...

Is it good to worship Holy Mary because is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Is it also good enough having the image of our lord Jesus Christ has a portrait in our houses or in the church?



Evangelist Segun(Missionary)
No, it is not good to worship Holy Mary as Lord. Catholics do adore Mary, and pray to her to intercede on their behalf as they believe the Catholic saints are in closer reach to Jesus, but do not worship her as Lord.

Yes, I believe it is fine to have images of Jesus in our home. Sometime in the near future, I plan to complete the 2000 piece jigsaw of the Last Supper and frame it.

Exodus was obviously referring to pagan religions, as there was no known image of Father God, Jesus, or Mary during that time.

In some movies and paintings, I have seen the Jews treat certain scrolls and the Arch of the Covenant in ways which appear as worship.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,148
30,296
113
#7
Is it good to worship Holy Mary because is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Jesus did not elevate Mary above any others, man or woman, simply because she birthed Him...

A woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the
breasts that nursed You!” But He replied,
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

And also (both from Luke):

He (Jesus) was told, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.”
But He replied,
“My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and carry it out.”
 
Apr 27, 2021
53
43
18
#8
Jesus did not elevate Mary above any others, man or woman, simply because she birthed Him...

A woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the
breasts that nursed You!” But He replied,
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

And also (both from Luke):

He (Jesus) was told, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.”
But He replied,
“My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and carry it out.”
Great, God bless you
 
Apr 27, 2021
53
43
18
#9
No, it is not good to worship Holy Mary as Lord. Catholics do adore Mary, and pray to her to intercede on their behalf as they believe the Catholic saints are in closer reach to Jesus, but do not worship her as Lord.

Yes, I believe it is fine to have images of Jesus in our home. Sometime in the near future, I plan to complete the 2000 piece jigsaw of the Last Supper and frame it.

Exodus was obviously referring to pagan religions, as there was no known image of Father God, Jesus, or Mary during that time.

In some movies and paintings, I have seen the Jews treat certain scrolls and the Arch of the Covenant in ways which appear as worship.
But how do we know if that portrait we are seeing today is the picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, Remember we have a lot of actor that do act the role exactly like our Lord Jesus Christ...
 
Apr 27, 2021
53
43
18
#10
My answer to the first question is obviously no.

I don't think having an image of the Lord Jesus is sinful necessarily. However, depending on the image a person can get a skewed idea of what He was all about. Jesus has been represented in a million different ways and in each case the artist was trying to say something about Him.

We don't have a clue what He looked like. Isaiah 53:2 says: "For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him." Apparently he was ordinary looking, just an average guy.

But I hope it would go without saying: if a person has a picture of Jesus which they worship, this is clearly crossing the line.
Yeah, That's it
 
Apr 27, 2021
53
43
18
#11
People seem to either go to one extreme or the other on this because everything is technically a graven image. For example, the computer that you use to access this website is a graven image of something on Earth.

If we go with the strictest definition of what sorts of images we should avoid then we need to find a hole to crawl in, not use our imagination, or ever look at anything ever again. That can't be what God meant, but it doesn't stop people from going to that extreme.

What this means is, do not worship images, statues, serve/love idols. You can have an image of anything. The image separated from other factors amounts to nothing more than lump of plastic, wood, or whatever it's made out of.

What turns a piece of wood into an idol is what is in your heart. The purpose in your heart for images creates the idol and God forbids it.
Wowww, I think this is great...
What you really mean is, our mind is what actually determine the factor
 
Apr 27, 2021
53
43
18
#12
this might be a debate by those here of the RCC but Mary Mother of Jesus is blessed as the angel said she would be and we are to honor her in her obedience to the call she answered. Yet Mary said " do everything He tells you to do" John 2:5
That was said in context to Jesus.
We are not to pray to her, we are not to worship her, nor can she forgive sins or heal or save anyone. Her SON is the only one who can.

Now we are to listen to her words from the Holy Spirit recorded in John 2:5 DO what Jesus said to do. a Picture in the home of Jesus should be just that not something we pray to.
Yeah, That's great...
I have learnt a lot..
 
T

TheIndianGirl

Guest
#13
But how do we know if that portrait we are seeing today is the picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, Remember we have a lot of actor that do act the role exactly like our Lord Jesus Christ...
Agree. I prefer paintings/art instead of photos of actors so I am not associating Jesus with an actor. I picture Jesus with a slender face and longer hair like the Shroud of Turin (which could be real) so any picture that looks somewhat like this is fine with me.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#14
But how do we know if that portrait we are seeing today is the picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, Remember we have a lot of actor that do act the role exactly like our Lord Jesus Christ...
I think this is the answer. We are to know that any image or actors taking the part of Jesus is NOT the picture of Christ. We are to worship the real Christ who is spirit.
 
Apr 27, 2021
53
43
18
#15
Agree. I prefer paintings/art instead of photos of actors so I am not associating Jesus with an actor. I picture Jesus with a slender face and longer hair like the Shroud of Turin (which could be real) so any picture that looks somewhat like this is fine with me.
Ok, That's fine, is a personal thing I guess
 
Apr 27, 2021
53
43
18
#16
I think this is the answer. We are to know that any image or actors taking the part of Jesus is NOT the picture of Christ. We are to worship the real Christ who is spirit.
Well, that was my own thought as well base on God's word that says
Deuteronomy 5:8 ESV
“‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Deuteronomy 5:8-10-8-10 The Message (MSG)
No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don’t bow down to them and don’t serve them because I am GOD, your God, and I’m a most jealous God. I hold parents responsible for any sins they pass on to their children to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation. But I’m lovingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my


Exodus 20:4-6 New International Version (NIV)
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

So I don't actually know why the images, except if it is just a portrait with nothing attach to it, But So many are worshipping this images both of Mother Mary and the Portrait of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
 

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
Feb 22, 2021
3,242
1,641
113
Midwest
#17
Exodus chapter 20 vs 4-6 said thou shall not make any images for yourself neither bow..

My question is...

Is it good to worship Holy Mary because is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Is it also good enough having the image of our lord Jesus Christ has a portrait in our houses or in the church?



Evangelist Segun(Missionary)
Precious friend:

(1) Worship/serve God ONLY!:

"Then Saith JESUS unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for IT IS WRITTEN, {*}
Thou shalt worship The Lord thy God, and HIM ONLY shalt thou serve."
(Mat_4:10 cp Luk_4:8 KJB!)

(2) The Correct Description of CHRIST, The Alpha And Omega, is Found In
Revelation 1:11-15 KJB, thus we need NO man-made images/pictures,
because:

(3a) “(...we walk By FAITH, NOT by sight!…)” (2Cor_5:7 KJB!)

(3b) "FAITH is the substance of things hoped for,
The Evidence of things
NOT SEEN!..." (Heb_11:1 KJB!)

{*} What Is WRITTEN, for us, Today, Under God's PURE GRACE?:

Romans – Philemon (KJB!) = God's GRACE/PEACE Love Letters Directly
TO us Today, For: Consolation, Comfort, Edification, Enjoyment,
Encouragement, And spiritual Building Up Of All The
BLOOD-Washed
"members ( saints!" ) In The Body Of CHRIST!, HIS Church, Seated In Heaven!
Amen? {Please start here, But remember: "ALL Scripture is Profitable for
learning!"}


Therefore, forsake ALL religious Traditions, read And RE-Read The Above,
And further develop Intimate fellowship With The LORD JESUS CHRIST!
(
1 Corinthians 1:9 KJB!), Praising, worshipping, and serving HIM Alone!
Amen?

Please Be Richly Encouraged, Exhorted, and Edified!
God's Simple Will!
 
Mar 17, 2021
560
165
43
#18
Exodus chapter 20 vs 4-6 said thou shall not make any images for yourself neither bow..

My question is...

Is it good to worship Holy Mary because is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Is it also good enough having the image of our lord Jesus Christ has a portrait in our houses or in the church?



Evangelist Segun(Missionary)
Mary is dead and her body is in the grave. Her spirit is with the other godly spirits in Paradis awaiting for the second coming of Christ.

Therefore the worship of Mary as the Queen of Heaven is idolatry. In fact, any visual representation of any god, including Jesus Himself is idolatry. This is why I don't have any pictures of Jesus in my home.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10 that worshiping an idol is actually the worship of a demon. Therefore, those who worship depictions of Mary are worshiping demons, and therefore have cut themselves off from fellowship with Christ.
 
Apr 27, 2021
53
43
18
#19
Mary is dead and her body is in the grave. Her spirit is with the other godly spirits in Paradis awaiting for the second coming of Christ.

Therefore the worship of Mary as the Queen of Heaven is idolatry. In fact, any visual representation of any god, including Jesus Himself is idolatry. This is why I don't have any pictures of Jesus in my home.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10 that worshiping an idol is actually the worship of a demon. Therefore, those who worship depictions of Mary are worshiping demons, and therefore have cut themselves off from fellowship with Christ.
That's very correct
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,441
3,222
113
#20
Exodus chapter 20 vs 4-6 said thou shall not make any images for yourself neither bow..

My question is...

Is it good to worship Holy Mary because is the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Is it also good enough having the image of our lord Jesus Christ has a portrait in our houses or in the church?



Evangelist Segun(Missionary)
You should only worship God. Mary is not God. Since no one knows what Lord Jesus looks like, a picture is harmless, unless it is an object of worship.