A misinterpretation of the Bible, specifically in Galatians 3:1 as well as 6:17.
I remember Galatians 3:1 ...耶稣基督钉十字架，已经活画在你们眼前...Rev. Stephen Tong once mentioned this in one of his lectures. Since then I had been having trouble searching for this verse because I used the wrong keyword. I thought "活画" was "活化". Until today, I suddenly stumble across this verse with great joy. Although, it is a bit embarrassing that my knowledge of this verse as well as my Chinese is lacking.
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It was known in the 200AD, done on foreheads.
Biblical references from them are:
Ezekiel 9:4
Exodus 17:9-14
Revelation 7:3,9:4,14:1
Which talks about signs on foreheads. There is no direct link with what is being practiced.
Source: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13785a.htm
Last week's Grace Community Church Thursday Bible Study (10/14/2021), I was wrong in stating Calvin condemned this as heresy. I must have confused Pak Tong's lesson on Calvin condemning the Roman Catholics Eucharist as heresy with this one. The best I've found is that Calvin treated this sign of the cross as Pak Tong would...it's not bad, but tend to be treated by the Catholics or most others as superstitious sign. Calvin mentioned this in his Institutes 4.17.28.