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The "Grafted In" symbol reflects an aspect of the Hebrew roots of our Christian faith. Found in 1967 in a cave on Mt. Zion in a place thought to be the sacred baptismal grotto of James, brother of Jesus and one of the original 12 Apostles. This extraordinary design is believed to be the symbol of the first Christian churches of the first and second centuries. The triune design combines the menorah (the light of the Lord) and the fish (representing Jesus the Messiah, God's Son and our Savior). Fusing together these two symbols is the "Star of David" representing unity between the Jew and the Gentile. The "Grafted In" symbol represents God's faithfulness to His people; from His promise to Abraham... to the fulfillment of eternal salvation through the Messiah. The story continues today in the church where all who accept Him, both Jew and Gentile, are welcome into a relationship with God.
Romans 11:17 - 24 (NIV) If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! This symbol, which richly depicts the very "roots" of Christianity, is surely of divine origin and inspiration, and was given to us (the church) by revelation, and by the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.
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