['< sod > when explaining why a simple stake was very often used for executions, the book das kreuz und die kreuzigung ( the cross and the crucifixion ), by hermann fulda, states : “ trees were not everywhere available at the places chosen just for public execution. so a simple beam was sunk into the ground. on this the outlaws, with hands raised upward and often also with their feet, were bound or nailed. ” the most convincing proof of all, however, comes from god ’ s word. the apostle paul says : “ christ purchased us, releasing us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse instead of us, because clearly it is written : ‘ accursed is every man hung upon a stake [ “ a tree, ” king james version ]. ’ ” ( galatians 3 : 13 ) here paul quotes deuteronomy 21 : 22, 23, which clearly refers to a stake, not a cross. since forming such a means of execution made the person “ a curse, ” it would not be proper for christians to decorate their homes with images of christ on a cross. < eod > < sod > explaining why today a simple stake was often used for executions, the book das kreuz und die kreuzigung ( the cross and the crucifixion ), by hermann fulda, states : “ small trees were not everywhere available at the places chosen for public execution. so a common simple beam was sunk into the high ground. on this the outlaws, with hands raised upward and more often also with their feet, were bound or nailed. ” < eod >']