| The
seal of the Apostle is the visible sign of the Lord’s
Church and its origin can be traced back to the days
of the early Church, when symbols were employed to
designate the jurisdiction of an Episcopate. It represents
Christian Unity of all Covenanting Communions through
its insignia “The Christian Ecumenical Covenant
Fellowship.” The seal authenticates the authority
conferred upon those who represent and are subject
to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Pastor is in a long
line of apostolic succession. This succession is indeed
spiritual, and this elevation to the Office of Apostle
is declared by their ensign set forth.
The
central focus of the Crest is the Cross, the representation
of the “Greater Glory” of God through
the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the focal point of the
ministry assigned to the Son of Man. It has indeed
become our constant reminder that salvation is available
through “whosoever” will.
The
symbols of the church have been encrested upon a shield
representing “The Shield of Faith for Quenching
the Fiery Darts”. The Shield is divided into
four parts (by the mark of the cross) like the gospels:
The
upper left-hand portion of the Crest is the ensign
of the Christian Church. The Chalice bearing the Cross,
symbolizes the Sacred Ordinance of Holy Communion.
This sacred ordinance is direct from the throne of
God and represents the Lord’s Supper and the
ultimate sacrifice of the unselfish giving to the
world of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
The
lower left-hand portion of the Crest is the globular
replica of the world resting in the Word of our Father
God. It conveys Christ’s continuing and abiding
presence … Jehovah Who Will Be With Us …
through the knowledge and application of His Word.
The Word of God is the guide to Christian living and
behavior, by which this world is only able to exist.
The
upper right-hand portion of the Crest symbolizes the
Praying Hands of Christ, who sits at the right hand
of the Father, continuously praying and interceding
for the well being of His children.
The
upper left-hand portion of the Crest is the Dove,
which represents the Holy Spirit that indwells those
that believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and reconciles
and unites all those that are followers of our Saviour,
regardless of race, creed, or color, into the fellowship
of God. (2 Corinthians 5:18). |
Above
the Shield is the Bishop’s Mitre. This liturgical
headdress with points symbolizes the Cloven Tongues
on the Heads of the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost.
It is symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s Endowment
(Acts 2), and heralds them as princes of the Lord’s
Church.
The
Key is symbolic of the Apostolic Authority given by
Christ and passed down to the Apostles, Bishops and
all who call upon His name in truth. The Apostle Peter
is given the Keys of the Kingdom to bind and loose
in Matthew 16:19. The Key faces downward in the hands
of a person, symbolizing that the authority is in
our hands through Jesus Christ the Lord.
The
Crozier is the symbol of the Pastoral leadership,
which is expected of those who have this peculiar
calling. It represents the shepherd’s leadership,
an ability to find and yoke lost sheep in the wilderness
of sin. The authority of the shepherd of the flock
is once again validated by the Rod and Staff, that
will comfort her and the pastors and the people given
to her holy care. Thus the Mission of our Apostle
by Holy Spirit empowerment, is to preach and teach
the Word of God, leading people to a personal relationship
with our Lord Jesus Christ through faith. Furthermore,
the Apostle, by example, is to function as the Chief
Pastor in the midst of God’s people. It is symbolic
of the one given to Moses as he was exiled from Egypt
and it is the symbol of authority and strength. The
Shield of Brotherhood is at the base of the Crozier.
It represents the proper place of men in the Ministry
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This
Consecration Service with its use of the candles on
the communion table is special and peculiar to the
participants as they have been set aside to “Hold
up this Light in the Dark Age”. The “Light”
of the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, is the only
passage out of the clutches of sin of deprivation.
Each man and woman is today solemnly reminded of the
awesome task before them to be examples of the “Salt
of the Earth and the Light of the World”.
May
God grant our new Apostle, Her Grace, Betty P. Peebles,
wisdom, knowledge, and discernment of these times.
We pray that God will continue to increase that with
which He has endowed to our Apostle … the heart
of a shepherd, and boldness to proclaim the Word of
God in this Community … across this Nation …
and across the World. We pray that our Apostle will
continue to feed the flock until the Chief Shepherd
shall appear to give her a crown of glory that fadeth
not away.
(1 Peter 5:4). |
