Cross and flame

Not to be confused with Cross burning.

The cross and flame is a style of the Christian cross that is used by certain Christian denominations, especially those of the Methodist tradition and the Holiness Pentecostal tradition.[1]

While the cross evokes the sacrifice of Jesus for mankind, the flame represents the Holy Spirit. In particular, the flame references Pentecost, when Christians "were unified by the power of the Holy Spirit and saw 'tongues, as of fire' (Acts 2:3)."[2] The Holy Spirit plays a prominent role in the Methodist tradition, being the focus in distinctive doctrines such as assurance of faith (which is also known as "Witness of the Holy Spirit"), as well as entire sanctification (which is also known as "Baptism of the Holy Spirit").[3] John Wesley experienced assurance on Aldersgate Day when he said that his heart was "strangely warmed"; the flame in various Methodist logos additionally symbolizes this.[2] A cross and flame have featured in the logos of many Methodist denominations, such as the United Methodist Church, Free Methodist Church, Congregational Methodist Church, Bethel Methodist Church, Evangelical Methodist Church, and Holiness Methodist Church among others.[1][4][5]

In Holiness Pentecostalism, the role of the Holy Spirit is emphasized in the aforementioned Wesleyan doctrines of the assurance of faith and entire sanctification, as well as the Parhamian-Seymourian doctrine of a third work of grace, i.e. Spirit baptism evidenced by speaking in tongues. As such, the cross and flame features in the logos of certain Pentecostal denominations, such as the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas and the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), among others.[6][7]

  1. ^ a b Vile, John R. (23 January 2024). The Christian Cross in American Public Life: An Encyclopedia. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-5275-7218-8.
  2. ^ a b Penning, Sally (2 June 2017). "Burning and Yearning: The Pentecost Through the Cross and Flame". St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  3. ^ Campbell, Ted A. (17 September 2019). Deeper Christian Faith, Revised Edition: A Re-Sounding. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-5326-5752-8.
  4. ^ "Our Heritage". Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara. Retrieved 16 May 2024. The Free Methodist Church's Logo includes the cross and a flame (representing the Holy Spirit) spreading across the entire world.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference USPTO2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Logos & Graphics". IPHC. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Logo". Church Of God. Retrieved 19 May 2024.