- CRESCENS increasing, probably one of the seventy disciples of Christ.
He was one of Paul’s assistants (2 Timothy 4:10), probably a Christian of
Rome. - CRETE now called Candia, one of the largest islands in the
Meditterranean, about 140 miles long and 35 broad. It was at one time a
very prosperous and populous island, having a “hundred cities.” The
character of the people is described in Paul’s quotation from “one of their
own poets” (Epimenides) in his epistle to Titus: “The Cretans are alway
liars, evil beasts, slow bellies” (Titus 1:12). Jews from Crete were in
Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11). The island was visited by
Paul on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27). Here Paul subsequently left Titus
(1:5) “to ordain elders.” Some have supposed that it was the original home
of the Caphtorim (q.v.) or Philistines. - CRIMSON See COLOUR.
- CRISPING-PIN (Isaiah 3:22; R.V., “satchel”), some kind of female
ornament, probably like the modern reticule. The Hebrew word harit
properly signifies pouch or casket or purse. It is rendered “bag” in 2 Kings
5:23. - CRISPUS curled, the chief of the synagogue at Corinth (Acts 18:8). He
was converted and, with his family, baptized by Paul (1 Corinthians 1:14). - CROSS in the New Testament the instrument of crucifixion, and hence
used for the crucifixion of Christ itself (Ephesians 2:16; Hebrews 12:2; 1
Corinthians 1:17, 18; Galatians 5:11; 6:12, 14; Phil. 3:18). The word is also
used to denote any severe affliction or trial (Matthew 10:38; 16:24; Mark
8:34; 10:21).
The forms in which the cross is represented are these:
- The crux simplex (I), a “single piece without transom.”
- The crux decussata (X), or St. Andrew’s cross.
- The crux commissa (T), or St. Anthony’s cross.
- The crux immissa (†), or Latin cross, which was the kind of cross on
which our Saviour died. Above our Lord’s head, on the projecting beam,
was placed the “title.” (See CRUCIFIXION.)