anything of which you are more sure than the salva- tion accomplished through the atoning work of Jesus Christ? Is there anything of which we ought speak        conversations about many things every day, whether with classmates, co-workers, friends, or family mem- - dence and openness?


Bold speech is very common today, but often it is


really self-confident bluster. Fans boast about their favorite sports teams and politicians boast as they campaign. Such self-centered boldness often proves


ARP 101  


he seal of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church expresses through symbolism the basic convictions of the denomination.


T


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 repre-  redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Living Word. The Celtic cross is suggestive of our roots in Scottish Christian history. The CIRCLE (or nimbus) is em- blematic of eternity, and was used in medieval symbolism to repre- sent God the Father. Here the nim-  of the redemption secured on the cross by the death of Jesus Christ. The descending DOVE repre- sents the presence of the Holy Spir- it (Matthew 3:16) as He witnesses


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to the church and through the church to the world. Through the three symbols of the cross, circle and dove, witness is given to the living presence of the Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – in the church.


The BOOK at the bottom of the shield represents the Bible. The BURN- ING BUSH (Exodus 3:2) on the left suggests the indestructibility of God’s word; the monograms ALPHA and OMEGA on the right symbolizes the - ning and the ending” (Revelation 1:8), revealed through the written word. The SCROLL beneath the shield bears the motto, “In Thy Light Shall We See Light.” (Psalms 36:9). The colors are chosen for their meaning as well. BLUE, traditionally expressive of      of faith,” and the unconsumed bush. The GOLD suggests royalty and wealth – on the cross, it particularly suggests the roy- alty and wealth of Jesus Christ. RED is         Christ by which man’s redemption is se- cured. WHITE suggest purity – the sinless purity of Him whom God “hath made to be sin for us who knew no sin” (2 Corin- thians 5:21).


The Associate Reformed Presbyterian


to be foolishness at best. But there is no folly in pro- claiming salvation in Jesus Christ with open, joyful confidence! His word calls us to boldness! Are you bold in telling others about Jesus Christ? How will the gospel advance if we do not openly, plainly and boldly speak of Christ to others? Would you be bold in other areas of conversation, but meek and quiet about that of which we are most certain? Or would others identify you as one who is bold in Christ?


Rev. Rob Patrick is the pastor of Boyce Memorial ARP Church in Kings Mountain, NC.


What do you want to know about the ARP denomination? Send questions to arpeditor@arpsynod.org. To start this series, have you ever wondered about the meaning of the ARP seal? The ARP seal has only been around since 1960.


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