Reformation Sunday Banners, Part 2

The banners made by the women of First Presbyterian Church and used for the first time on Reformation Sunday 1975 portray the eight Confessions (or Creeds) approved and adopted by the Presbyterian Church in its comprehensive statement of beliefs. They represent doctrinal and theological statements which span the history of the Christian Church.

 

The four banners on the right, from left to right, represent the following:

• The Apostles' Creed
  • The somber brown color of this banner represents the difficulty and rigor of early Christianity under persecution; also, the monastic tradition. The purple arches symbolize the entrances to caves or catacombs, where early Christians met in secret; also, the shape of Gothic church windows. The anchor cross stands for security in Christ, as found by the apostles, some of whom were fishermen. The fish is an ancient symbol for the Christian faith, perhaps a secret code mark. Letters of the Greek word for fish can be used as first letters in the phrase, "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior." The chalice represents the Lord's Supper, and thus the earnest and simple fellowship of the early church. The upside-down cross stands for Peter, chief of the apostles, who is said to have been crucified upside down because he thought himself unworthy of a death like the Master's.
• The Westminster Confession and the Shorter Catechism (England, 1646)
  • The three long panels and the maroon triangle represent the Trinity. The eye symbolizes God's providence and control of all life and history - a dominant theme of Westminster. The crown stands for God's rule. The open Bible symbolizes the authority of the written Word, basic to this Confession's teachings. The Alpha and the Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, referring to Christ and his death as the beginning and the end, and central to our faith.
• The Confession of 1967 (USA, 1967)
  • The blue, the red, and the gold were the colors of the official seal of The United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. The golden, down-reaching hand, repeated from the Nicene banner, stands for God, relating to his world. The crown, repeated from the Westminster banner, and the nail-scarred hand, represent the death and victory of Christ as he reconciles the world. The four hands of different colors, the clasped hands and the green circle symbolize the reconciled world at the food of the cross - God's act of reconciliation being the starting point and theme of the Confession of 1967. The stars and planets on the blue background represent the "space-age" setting of this Confession.
• The Heidelberg Catechism (Germany, 1563)
  • The regal red and gold of this banner are a tribute to the rule of Frederick III, who ordered the writing of the Catechism for followers of John Calvin in Germany. The crown of thorns, the "German" cross, and the tablets are symbols of Misery, Redemption, and Thankfulness - the three basic themes of the Catechism. (The tablets represent the Ten Commandments, which appear in the Catechism where it teaches that obedience is the proper form of thankfulness.) The two lights and the fire represent the Trinity - with the Hebrew name of God on the left orb, the Greek monogram for Jesus on the right orb, and the flame standing for the Holy Spirit. There is a long discussion of the Trinity in the Catechism.

Most of these historic, hand-crafted banners will be hung in the Sanctuary or in Swain Hall during the Season of Celebration for our 50th Anniversary. Don't miss the opportunity to see them!