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The seal of the
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
expresses through symbolism the basic convictions of the denomination.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The BOOK at the bottom of the shield represents the Bible - the written word of God.
- The BURNING BUSH (Exodus 3:2) on the left or Old Testament page suggests the indestructibility of God's word.
- 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.
- BLUE, traditionally expressive of fidelity, appropriately colors the "shield of faith" and the unconsumed bush.
- GOLD suggests royalty and wealth - on the cross, it particularly represents the royalty and wealth of Jesus Christ.
- RED is the color of sacrifice and the blood of Christ - precisely the costly sacrifice of Christ by which man's redemption is secured.
- 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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