THE JESUS FISH
Pastor Josh
THE JESUS FISH
The Jesus Fish or the ICTUS fish is a Greek acrostic which means Christ. Although most Christians and people for that matter know what the fish represents for it is a common symbol found on bumper stickers, car magnets, jewelry, the Jack-N-The Box logo, and religious banners and yet most do not know or understand it's complete meaning nor the history of. So in this very brief study I wanted to bring to light those things which are basically forgotten or unkown.
First of all the fish represents Christ we now know that however, within the fish you usually see the 5 letters ICTUS written within the body of the fish. Each letter in the acrostic ICTUS represents a specific word in the Greek so lets look at each word in the Greek and reveal it's English translation.
In the Greek the letters are: Iouda Chi Theda Upsilon Sigma or I C T U S in the English. The first two letters are Iouda Chi which Acrosticly stand for Jesus Christ (Christos = Annointed One) In the Greek. The last three letters Theda Upsilon Sigma stand for Son Of God Savior.
The word ICTUS in the Greek is an actual word as well, meaning FISH. But when Broken down acrosticly ICTUS means JESUS CHRIST SON OF GOD SAVIOR.
Now that we know what ICTUS or FISH means in the Greek and English let us look at the history of the ICTUS fish and learn what its significance is.
The History Of The Ictus Fish: According to wikipedia the online encyclopedia fish are mentioned and given symbolic meaning several times in the Gospels. Several of Jesus' twelve Apostles were fishermen. He commissions them with the words "I will make you fishers of men".
At the feeding of the five thousand, a boy is brought to Jesus with "five small loaves and two fish". The question is asked, "But what are they, among so many?" Jesus multiplies the loaves and fish to feed the multitude.
Mat 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
It is sad but the reason there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth is because of the shame in knowing that these people allowed themselves to be decieved into believing that the Antichrist is Jesus Christ but he is not he is Satan a false god who is in rebellion with the one true GOD.
In the Parable of Drawing in the Net, Jesus compares God's decision on who will go to heaven or to hell (The 2nd death of your soul) ("the fiery furnace") at the end of this age to fishers sorting out their catch, keeping the good fish and throwing the bad fish away.
Joh 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
It is related that the disciples fished all night but caught nothing. Jesus instructed them to cast the nets on the right side of the boat, and they drew in 153 fish. As Christians we are to fish only out of the right side of the boat this is symbolic of doing what is good and right as well as having our minds set to being right wether it be politically or socially. We abstain from the liberal ungodly ways of the left. No this does no mean that you are to be a republican but you are to align your self with what is right. Therefore we are to do away with polictical correctness as well as unity and diversity.
Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Upon being asked if his Teacher who is Christ does pay the temple tax, Simon Peter answers yes. Christ tells Peter to go to the water and cast a line, saying that a coin sufficient for both of them will be found in the fish's mouth. Peter does this and finds the coin. We should always place our faith and trust in GOD rather than the traditions of man.
According to the early Church and to their tradition, ancient Christians, during their persecution by the Roman Empire during the first few centuries after Christ, used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs, or to distinguish friends from foes etc.
And according to Elesha Coffman of Christianity Today ( A modern Christian Publication), "when a Christian met a stranger in the road, the Christian sometimes drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt. If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew they were in good company. Current bumper-sticker and business-card uses of the fish hark back to this practice. The symbol is still used today to show that the bearer is a practicing Christian.
In Popular culture: the "ICTUS FISH" was rebirthed in the late 60s and early 70s to become an icon of modern Christianity which is now recognized around the world. It was caused through a chain of circumstances: First, the Vietnam War caused distrust and peaceful rebellion within the younger generations of Americans and Australians. In 1973 they brought the symbol and message to the Aquarius Rock Festival in Nimbin Australia. From there, it has became a household symbol around the globe. Today, it can be seen as a bumper-sticker or magnet on the back of cars or as jewlry for a sign that the owner wearing it is a Christian. It is incorporated into business logos and advertisements as well. It is also seen on t-shirts and other clothing apparel.
Conclusion: So that about wraps it up for today's brief lesson. Remember the FISH means Christ or more specifically JESUS CHRIST SON OF GOD SAVIOR and that He is. Also remember to study God's Word as much as your appetite will allow and you will be blessed. May God Bless those who love Him. You are watching the Fellowship of the Living Word. Until next time I am Pastor Josh Signing off.