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The seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)is a symbolic statement of
the church's heritage, identity, and mission in contemporary form. Its
power depends on both its simplicity
and complexity, as well as its traditional
and enduring qualities.
The Cross
The cross represents the incarnate love of God in Jesus
Christ, and his
passion and resurrection. Because of its association with Presbyterian
history, the Celtic cross was chosen..l.
The Bible
The two center
lines of the cross represent an open book... the role of Scripture as a
means of knowing God's word.
The Dove
The uppermost section... the shape of a descending
dove. A symbol of the Holy Spirit, ...also symbolizes Christ's baptism
by John and the peace and
wholeness which his death and resurrection bring to a broken
world.
The Pulpit
Beneath the
image of the book is the suggestion of a lectern or pulpit, which
captures the important role of preaching in the history of Presbyterian
worship.
The Flames
The flames convey a
double meaning: a symbol of revelation in the Old Testament when God
spoke to Moses from the burning bush, and the beginning
of the Christian church when Christ manifested himself to his apostles
at Pentecost and charged them to be messengers of the good news of
God's love.
The Triangle
The
triangle a
traditional symbol of the Trinity also suggests the nature of
Presbyterian government, with its
concern for balance and order, dividing authority between clergy and
elders and among different governing bodies.
The Fish
In
the shape of the descending dove, one can discern the form of a fish,
an early-Christian sign for Christ, recalling his ministry to those who
hunger.
The Font/Chalice
In the lower central part of the
image of the cross one can find a baptismal font or a communion chalice
(cup) both images of the sacraments ... an ongoing sign
and symbol of God's presence with us and working through us. more....
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