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This is one of the earliest creeds of the Christian church. Although it was not written by the apostles, it does reflect the teachings of the apostles and was used as a Baptism confession. THE BROWN COLOR reflects the persecution of the early Christians. THE PURPLE ARCHES represent the catacombs where the early Christians worshiped in secret. THE ANCHOR CROSS represents the certainty of forgiveness Christians have. THE FISH is an ancient symbol of Jesus. THE UPSIDE-DOWN CROSS represents the manner in which Peter, the apostle, died. THE CHALICE represents the Lord’s Supper, and thus the fellowship of the early church with the Risen Lord and each other.

This is the first great confession after Christianity became a legal religion in the Roman Empire. THE CROSS is central because the doctrine of Christ is central to this creed. THE SWORD, which is also a cross, is a symbol for the Emperor Constantine, who called the council which articulated this creed. THE GREEN TRIANGLE symbolizes the doctrine of the Trinity which was clearly affirmed in the creed. THE HAND REACHING DOWN represents God, the Father. THE CHI RHO MONOGRAM shows the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ, used by Constantine on shields and helmets of the Roman army. THE DOVE represents the Holy Spirit while THE CROWNS represent the rule and glory of God.

The Scottish Reformation was given doctrinal expression in this great confession, written by John Knox. THE X-SHAPED St. Andrews Cross is symbolic of St. Andrew who in legend was the first to bring the gospel to Scotland. THE BLUE OF THE SHIELD is the background color of the Church of Scotland. The Tartan is that of the Hamilton clan in honor of the first martyr of the Scottish Reformation, Patrick Hamilton. THE CELTIC CROSS is another ancient cross associated with Christianity in the British Isles. THE SHIP is a symbol of the church. THE BIBLE AND THE SWORD: Paul called the word of God “the sword of the Spirit,” and the sharpness of John Knox’s preaching of the Word was a major power for reformation in Scotland. THE BURNING BUSH WHICH IS NOT CONSUMED reminds us of Moses’ Mount Sinai experience, and is thus a symbol of God’s presence and call. It is also the chief symbol of the Church of Scotland.

German Protestants used this to teach the Christian faith through this catechism (a question and answer tool). THE CROWN OF THORNS, THE “GERMAN” CROSS, AND THE TABLETS are symbols of the three main themes of the catechism: our misery (apart from Christ), our redemption by Christ, and the Ten Commandments, which appear in the catechism where it teaches that obedience is the proper form of thankfulness for God’s mercy. TWO LIGHTS and the FIRE represent the three persons of the Trinity: God the Father (lower left with Hebrew name for God), God the Son (lower right with the Greek monogram for Jesus), and the flame at bottom center representing the Holy Spirit.

The Reformation in Switzerland expressed the faith in this confession. THE CROSS is the dominant symbol, expressing the confession’s understanding of the centrality of Jesus’ death and resurrection to the faith of the church. THE BURNING HEART in an open hand (upper left corner) is the symbol of the great Protestant Reformer John Calvin. THE BURNING LAMP represents knowledge of God’s forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and a good life lived in thankful response to that forgiveness. THE SHEPHERD’S CROOK and the pasture represent the responsibility of the pastoral ministry for the flock’s care of its members, that Christ’s sheep are cared for. THE CUP and the water represent the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.

This confession expressed the faith of the Reformation in Great Britain. Written largely for the English Puritans, it became the basic document for Scots Presbyterianism. THE THREE LONG PANELS and the triangle represent the Trinity. THE EYE represents God’s sovereign and loving control of all life. THE CROWN represents God’s rule. THE OPEN BIBLE symbolizes the authority of God’s written word. THE ALPHA (A) and OMEGA ( Ω ), the A and Z of the Greek alphabet, symbolize Christ who is called the “first and the last”—referring to Christ’s life, death, and resurrection as central to our faith.

This 20th century confession symbolized the protest of the “Confessing Church” of Germany against the Nazification of the German Church in the 1930s. THE SWASTIKA is canceled while the Cross (symbolizing the true Christian faith) is still standing, albeit in flames of persecution and the crisis of war. In opposing totalitarian forces, this confession is still important to our understanding of faith in this world.

THE DOWN-REACHING GOLDEN HAND represents God’s involvement in this world. THE CROSS and the nail-scarred hand of Christ represent God’s sacrifice of his Son for the sins of the world. THE FOUR HANDS of different colors (and the hands clasped in friendship) represent the reconciling power of the Christian Gospel. THE STARS AND THE PLANETS represent the universal offer of God’s healing grace.

In 1983 the largest two Presbyterian churches united as one. Thus this is a statement of unity and looking forward to diversity without divisiveness.