The seal of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church expresses through
symbolism the basic convictions of the denomination.
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The SHIELD, the basic form of the seal, is an emblem signifying
complete faith or trust in God as Paul suggests in Ephesians 6:16.
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The
CROSS forms the central emphasis of the seal, and represents the
Person and the sacrificial redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, the Living Word. The Celtic cross is suggestive of our
roots in Scottish history.
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The
CIRCLE (or nimbus) is emblematic of eternity, and was used in medieval
symbolism to represent God the Father. Here the nimbus additionally
signifies the eternal benefit of the redemption secured on the cross
by the death of Jesus Christ.
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The descending DOVE represents the presence of the Holy Spirit (Matthew
3:16) as He witnesses to the Church and through the Church to the
world. Through these symbols (the Nimbus, the Cross, the Dove) witness
is given to the living presence of the Trinity - the Father, the
Son, the Holy Spirit - in the Church.
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The
BOOK at the bottom of the shield represents the Bible - the written
word of God.
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The
BURNING BUSH (Exodus 3:2) on the left or Old Testament page
suggests the indestructibility of God's word.
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The
monograms ALPHA and OMEGA, on the right or New Testament page,
symbolize the final authority of Jesus Christ who has declared
Himself to be "the beginning and the ending" (Revelation 1:8),
revealed through the written word.
The
colors are chosen for their meaning as well.
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BLUE,
traditionally expressive of fidelity, appropriately colors the
"shield of faith" and the unconsumed bush.
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GOLD
suggests royalty and wealth - on the cross, it particularly
represents the royalty and wealth of Jesus Christ.
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RED
is the color of sacrifice and the blood of Christ - precisely
the costly sacrifice of Christ by which man's redemption is
secured.
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WHITE
suggests purity - the sinless purity of Him whom God "made Him
who had no sin to be sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
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