Steve Sylwester remembers:
Herman Schmieding had us sixth-graders recite The Pledge Allegiance to The Cross (Christian Flag).
Immediately after reciting The Pledge Allegiance to The American Flag,
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
we students would turn to the Christian Flag,
right hand still over the heart, and recite:
I pledge allegiance to the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
And to the faith for which it stands,
one Savior, eternal,
with mercy and grace for all.
Below are excerpts from a webpage about the Christian flag:
The "Christian Flag" is a white flag with a blue canton and a red cross in it. It was designed by Charles Overton in 1897 to represent Protestants of all denominations. .... The meaning of the colours: White: purity and peace; Blue: faith and truth; Red: blood of Jesus Christ and love.
Such mainstream Protestant groups as the Methodists and Presbyterians gave explicit sanction to the use of the "Christian" Flag in churches in resolutions passed in the 1940s. A great many local church websites of mainstream Protestant churches (Presbyterian, Methodist, and, of course, Baptist) mention either the display of the "Christian" Flag or the pledge to it. This suggests that its use is rather widespread, beyond just the conservative evangelical bodies.
Lutheran churches began using the Christian Flag along with the US flag in churches during the World War II years. They attribute this practice to German-Americans wanting to prove their patriotism.
The United Methodist and Evangelical Lutheran churches' websites contain articles expressing disapproval of the display of either the US or "Christian" Flags in churches. On the other hand, neither was prepared to say that their use is impermissible.
A conference of "mainstream" Protestant denominations some decades ago concluded that the Christian Flag, if displayed, should take precedence in a church over the national flag. Actual practice varies between individual parishes/congregations.
The Christian Flag is reported in use in Canada, and I have seen photos from Brazil and even a photo from the South Sudanese SPLA soldiers carrying it. I know from two German Free-Churches using it. .... The flag is also used by some foreign Protestant groups connected to US evangelical missionary organizations, particularly in Latin America.
Pictures on the Frontline Fellowship website showing the Christian Flag are mostly taken in Sudan and Zambia. Hundreds of Christian Flags are flying in each of those countries. They have all been taken in the last few years. These flags most certainly do play a part in the Christian communities. They serve as a witness, as an identification symbol, as an inspiration, and as a reminder that we are also citizens of the Kingdom of heaven.
The Christian Flag is the only free flag in the world. It is different from every other flag, religious or secular, ancient or modern. It is uncontrolled, independent, and universal. ...
Below are excerpts from a webpage about the meaning of the Christian flag for Christians in Africa:
What is the significance of the Christian flag and why are so many flying in the wind across Africa? The international Christian flag has a red cross to symbolise the blood of Christ, a blue square to symbolise heaven and white for the robes of righteousness.
In Exodus 17:15 we read --
Moses built an altar and called it:
The Lord is my Banner
Psalm 20:5 --
We will shout for joy
when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners
in the Name of our Lord.
Psalm 6:4 --
But for those who fear You,
You have raised a banner
to be unfurled against the bow.
Song of Solomon 2:4 --
And His banner over me is love.
Song of Solomon 6:4 --
Majestic as troops with banners.
Isaiah 18:3 --
All you people of the world
you who live on the earth,
when a banner is raised on the mountains,
you will see it.
In Sudan "Beyond the rivers of Cush" these prophesies are being fulfilled as churches fly the Christian flag, even in the Nuba Mountains. When the enemy comes in like a flood, God will raise up a standard to which the righteous can rally.
The Christian flag proclaims the Lordship of Jesus Christ, that He is "The King of kings and the Lord of lords."
The kingdom of the world
has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ,
and He will reign forever and ever.
(Revelation 11:15)
The Christian flag is a reminder that we who are Christians are also citizens of the Kingdom of God.
But you are a chosen people,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people belonging to God
that you may declare the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness
into His wonderful light.
(1 Peter 2:9)
The Christian flag celebrates the victory of the cross of Christ.
And having disarmed the powers and authorities,
He made a public spectacle of them,
triumphing over them by the cross.
(Colossians 2:15)
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