5 reasons to believe in the virgin birth

Theological liberalism denies the basic tenets of Christianity-the inspiration of scripture, Bible miracles, the deity of Christ, and important attributes of Christ such as His virgin birth.  They must deny explicit statements found in that Word which they do not highly regard.  This includes statements made by the Holy Spirit through Matthew in Matthew 1:18-25.  According to these verses, here are some crucial elements a part of Christ’s virgin birth.


(1) Mary became pregnant with Christ before she and Joseph “came together” (18).  In Luke’s account, this point is stressed repeatedly.  Joseph was engaged to a virgin named Mary (1:27).  When told that she was expecting by an angel, she queried, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (1:34).  Mary was a sexually pure woman, one who had not yet had relations with a man-even in the rightful bonds of marriage.

(2) Mary’s pregnancy was “of the Holy Spirit” (18,20).  “She was found with child of the Holy Spirit.”  Joseph is told by an angel of the Lord, “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (20).  No human father was involved in the process.  Through this means, Mary brought into this world one who was totally both human and divine.  This made Him the perfect sacrifice, one fully possessed of the nature of God and of man.
(3) This unique pregnancy was in fulfillment of prophesy (22-23).  Sound oddly debate whether or not Isaiah 7:14 is a Messianic prophesy.  While some men say “no,” the Holy Spirit emphatically says “yes.”  Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah 7:14 and applies it to Christ.  Because it was prophesied that the “God-man” (Immanuel) would come through the virgin birth, it had to be fulfilled (cf. Luke 24:44).
(4) The one born of a virgin had to have the right name and nature.  He was to be named “Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (21).  His name was also to be called “Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us'” (23).  The virgin would bring the Savior into the world.
(5) Joseph “did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son” (25).  After the birth of Christ, the married Joseph and Mary obviously did enjoy the physical benefits of marriage.  They had at least four sons (Matt. 13:55) and an unspecified number of daughters (Mark 6:3).  Sadly, our friends in Catholicism, because they believe all humanity inherits Adam’s sin and are perplexed with how to have a depraved woman bear the person Son of God, have come up with the false doctrines of “immaculate conception” and “perpetual virginity.”  The Immaculate Conception doctrine says that God made her free from “original sin,” an idea wholly unnecessary because no one inherits Adam’s sin (cf. Ezek. 18:20).  The concept of her “perpetual virginity,” which they defend by going to great lengths to deny the natural assumptions that Jesus’ brothers and sisters would belong to Mary and Joseph, is often cited as the reason why their priests and nuns cannot marry (cf. 1 Tim. 4:3).  While those ideas are without biblical foundation, the virgin birth is true and indispensable to Christ’s saving work at Calvary.  It may be difficult to fully comprehend, but it is part of God’s salvation plan.  — Neal Pollard
 

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