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

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 represents the Person and the sacrificial 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 emblematic of eternity, and was used in Medieval symbolism to represent God the Father. Here the nimbus additionally signifies the eternal benefit of the redemption secured on the cross by the death of Jesus Christ.

The descending DOVE represents the presence of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16) as He witnesses to the Church and through the Church to the world.

Through these three symbols (the Nimbus, the Cross, the Dove) witness is given to the living presence of the Trinity - the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit - in the Church.

The BOOK at the bottom of the shield represents the Bible - the written word of God. The BURNING BUSH (Exodus 3:2) on the left or Old Testament page suggests the indestructibility of God's word; the monograms, ALPHA and OMEGA, on the right or New Testament page, symbolize the final authority of Jesus Christ who has declared Himself to be "the beginning 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, traditionaly expressive of fidelity, appropriately colors the ''shield of faith'' and the unconsumed bush. The GOLD suggests royalty and wealth - on the cross, it particularly suggests the royalty and wealth of Jesus Christ. RED is the color of sacrifice and the blood of Christ -pre-cisely the costly sacrifice of Christ by which man's redemption is secured. WHITE suggests purity - the sinless purity of Him whom God "hath made to be sin for us who knew no sin" (II Corinthians 5:21).