We Ought to Believe!

The idea for this message came to me after a very lively discourse with several other members of my ministry study group. We had been discussing some of the interesting questions that we get asked and the subject of Mary and the Virgin Birth seemed to come up repeatedly.

Subsequently, I did some research on the subject and then presented my findings back to the group. After some friendly feedback, they encouraged me to go ahead and introduce it to you on the ministry blog (thank you, Eve!) I realize that this may be a very controversial subject for some. Therefore, I ask that you pray to God for an open mind, and heart before you start. He will lead you where He wants you to go. Also, you will find that I have included many scriptural references to assist with further study.

If someone were to tell you that they had no human biological father, would you believe them? The Bible makes exactly that claim for Jesus of Nazareth. Some people respond with disbelief, even as they do with other Bible miracles. We need to be ready (prepared & willing) to offer a good defense, because this is not merely an academic question. It goes to the heart of who Jesus is and what He did for us. If He was not conceived and born of a virgin, then we have no savior!

On that note, let's begin by discussing how the case of the Virgin Birth is damaged by promoters of falsehoods and speculations.

1. Jesus was born on December 25. In fact, his date of birth is not known. Circumstances make it highly unlikely that it was at this time of year. The Bible does not specify a date or month. One problem with December is that it would be unusual for shepherds to be “abiding in the field” at this cold time of year when fields were unproductive. The normal practice was to keep the flocks in the fields from Spring to Autumn. Also, winter would likely be an especially difficult time for pregnant Mary to travel the long distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem (70 miles).

“A more probable time would be late September, the time of the annual Feast of Tabernacles, when such travel was commonly accepted. Thus, it is rather commonly believed (though not certain) that Jesus’ birth was around the last of September. The conception of Christ, however, may have taken place in late December of the previous year. Our Christmas celebration may well be recognized as an honored observation of the incarnation of ‘the Word made flesh’ (John 1:14).” [Dr. Henry M. Morris, The Defender’s Study Bible (notes for Luke 2:8,13)].

2. The near simultaneous arrival of shepherds & wise men. Virtually every “manger scene” on display has three wise men. As we shall see, the wise men clearly did not visit Jesus when he was still lying in the manger, as is commonly shown on greeting cards and in plays. It does report wise men (“magi”) came, but it does not say how many. None of the early Church Fathers, suggested the magi were kings. Since the word “magi” used in the Bible is plural, there were apparently at least two, and there could have been more—even several more. The Bible simply mentions three costly gifts they presented—gold, frankincense and myrrh, but this does not necessarily indicate the number of magi. There is also no proof of what country these men came from.

Truth is that an unknown number of wise men arrived much later, after the family had moved into a house and the newborn Jesus was a “young child” (Matthew 2:9-11). At this time, Scripture calls Jesus a “child,” not a “baby.” It is possible that little Jesus was walking and talking by then. Based on the calculations of King Herod and the magi (Matthew 2:16), Jesus could been two years old or under. Before the arrival of the magi in Bethlehem, Jesus traveled to and from Jerusalem for presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:21-22).

3. The perpetual virginity of Mary. This too is a falsehood (See Matthew 1:25 – “till”). This doctrine sprang from Gnostic ideas that all physical pleasure was sinful, even intimacy between a married couple. In Matthew 13:55-56, we see that Jesus had “brothers and sisters” (who had a biological father). Mary was the wife of Joseph and the mother of Jesus Christ, who was conceived within her by the Holy Spirit when she was a virgin. She is often called the “Virgin Mary,” though never in Scripture are those two words put together as a proper name (Matt. 2:11; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27; Acts 1:14).

Next, let's talk about the biblical affirmation of the Virgin Birth.

1. It is an Old Testament Prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).

2. Gospel writers speak on the virgin birth. Matthew agrees with Isaiah and also affirms Mary’s virginity in Matthew 1:25. In Luke 1:26-27, the context goes and tells her that she was to have a child of the Holy Spirit.

3. Consider also Mary’s own testimony (Luke 1:34).

4. Notice the angel’s testimony to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-21). Joseph avoided making the matter public; but he intended to put Mary away privately, believing she had been unchaste. But Mary wasn’t impure! “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (Luke 1:32, 35).

5. The Genealogical records make it clear that Jesus had no biological father. In Matthew 1:16, note Matthew’s careful wording to avoid the notion that Joseph was the biological father (after all the “begots” he deliberately avoids saying Joseph “begot” Jesus) Also, refer to Luke 3:23 (KJV), “as was supposed.”

6. This array of evidence would most certainly stand up in court! First, there is a significant number of witnesses. Second, there are reliable witnesses. Third, there is clear, consistent testimony!

What objections might be raised in regards to the possibility of a Virgin Birth?

1. That it is a biological impossibility! True enough! This was a MIRACLE! The same God who can create life from nothing can surely take upon Himself human flesh and be born of a woman without any involvement by a human male!

2. Other religions also claim a virgin-born savior (skeptics say Christianity’s claim is no more valid than others):

a. Buddha: the oldest accounts of his birth say nothing about a virgin birth; both mother and father are mentioned. Other accounts clearly affirm the agency of his father in producing him. Only many centuries later did various legends arise with alleged miraculous events connected with his birth.

b. Krishna (Hinduism): evidence of his existence is scarce; none of it comes from the time he supposedly lived. Accounts vary; none consistently affirms virgin birth.

c. Zoroaster (6th cent. BC Persian): Records are few and unclear; they definitely affirm the biological role of his father in producing him (though both father and mother were said to have drunk milk into which the material essence of Zoroaster had been mixed!)

I encourage you, dear readers, to compare Christianity, where records are ancient, numerous, complete, clear, consistent, and reliable!

Finally, why is the Virgin Birth so important?

1. It is important as to the Nature of Christ. He was 100% human! Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus is touched by our difficulties because, He too: became thirsty, hungry, tired, needed friends, etc., YET… He was 100% God! He was THE Son of God (not just ‘a’ son of God). Other examples? Examine: John 3:16 “only-begotten." 1 Timothy 3:16 – great mystery “God was manifested in the flesh.” Colossians 2:9 – all the fullness of deity dwelt in Jesus in bodily form (He was God in human flesh).

2. It is important as to the mission of Jesus. What was the mission? To extend forgiveness to man – something only God could do! To be the supreme sacrifice for sin, He had to be God incarnate (no mere human, no matter how righteous, could fill that role).

3. Thus to deny the virgin birth is to deny the essence of Christianity. It would be a religion without salvation! It would be Christianity without Christ!

In conclusion, we ought to believe, and to shamelessly affirm, that Jesus the Christ was conceived and born of a virgin. Therefore, He is not "just" a human being, but is the unique God/Man. He lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death, and was raised in triumph over death on the 3rd day. Put your confidence in Him now by confessing His name and being baptized into Him!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, remain in our hearts,
And guide us in our love and service.
Help us to let our light shine before others
And lead them to the way of faith. Amen

May God's grace be upon you,

Patty