The use of the anchor by Christians may well have been inspired by the words of the apostle Paul: "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." (Hebrews 6:17) It is a fitting symbol: for fishermen and sailors, an anchor is a necessity. There are basically two types. One is used at sea, to keep a ship temporarily fixed in one spot. A heavy and efficiently designed anchor prevents the effects of wind, currents, and waves from moving a vessel from a desired location, just as our hope in salvation through Jesus Christ keeps us from being pulled away by the storms of life.