The cross, pitcher, laver and crown are the four symbols that join to illustrate the central theme in The Christian and Missionary Alliance, that is: “Jesus Christ is our Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King.”
The CROSS: Christ our Savior.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to man by which we must be saved”
(Acts 4:12).
We believe Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures . . . that we are redeemed through His precious
blood, justified by His death and Resurrection, made righteous through His righteousness, and accepted in His name.
The LAVER: Christ our Sanctifier.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called
us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).
Holiness is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself--so dwelling in our hearts and so walking in our steps that we shall
live like Him. This can never be in a sense that will minister to our own pride or self-suficiency, for before
we can receive it, we must come to the end of ourselves and never become self-sufficient apart from Christ. Such
holiness means living a life of simple dependence, moment by moment, on Christ alone.
Note: The laver symbol represents a vessel used in the temple of the Old Testament. The priest used
it to wash his feet before entering the Holy Place. It signifies the daily cleansing from sin by the power of the
Holy Spirit.
The PITCHER: Christ our Healer.
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:15).
The Lord Jesus has purchased and provided for His believing and obedient children physical strength, life, and
healing as freely as the spiritual blessings of the gospel. He took up our infirmities as well as our sins, and
from His risen life and living touch, our faith may draw health and strength until our life work is done.
Note: This symbol represents a pitcher containing oil to anoint the sick for healing that comes
through obedience to God's Word.
The CROWN: Christ our Coming King.
“You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven”
(Mark 14:62).
The Lord Jesus is coming personally to this earth again. It is not a mere spiritual coming, either at death or
in a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit, or in the spread of the gospel throughout the world; but it is the coming
of the Lord Himself as literally and personally as when He went away.