Church of the Brethren Symbol

Post date: Dec 01, 2014 6:36:57 PM

The Church of the Brethren symbol upholds images of life in Jesus Christ. The cross recalls our baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:4) and testifies to God’s plan to bring “all in heaven and earth . . . into a unity in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10 NEB). The circle, partially defined, represents the world into which we are sent by Christ (Matthew 28:19). The circle also affirms that as members of Christ’s body we are members one of another (Romans 12:5)—a people who confess “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). The wave connotes new life in Christ, “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). The wave further evokes the waters of justice (Amos 5:24), the cup of water offered in Christ’s name (Mark 9:41), the basin and towel (John 13:5), and “springs of living water” (Revelation 7:17). Images central to life in Jesus Christ thus are lifted up as images for Brethren to live by.