Transcript Document 7480644

The Virgin Birth
 Implications of the Doctrine
 Few doctrines more despised by the
average person.
 Even among those claiming
Christianity it has a high disapproval
rating.
 What are the implications for rejecting
this doctrine?
 We do irreparable harm to all Scripture
•Is the Bible inspired? Or not?
•If the account of
the virgin birth is
erroneous, we
can have no
confidence in any
of Scripture.
•Four Approaches to the Doctrine
•It is a FACT of History
•This is the Christian view
• Apostle’s Creed: “and in Jesus Christ, His
only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by
the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;”
 An Error of Translation
Isaiah 7:14 --
Therefore the Lord himself
will give you a sign: The
virgin will be with child and
will give birth to a son, and
will call him Immanuel.
•Assertion is made that
word translated VIRGIN
should be translated
YOUNG WOMAN.
 A Supernatural Explanation to a
normal event
•Mary found herself in trouble and told the
“angel story” to cover.
•Or, early church needed to pad the true
story for effect and impression.
 Complete Mythology
•Modern mythological
movement claims the
story of Jesus is
complete fabrication.
 Defending the Historical Fact View
•The gospel
record supports
the fact of the
Virgin Birth.
•Matthew states
the doctrine
without undue
frills.
This is how the birth of
Jesus Christ came
about: His mother Mary
was pledged to be
married to Joseph, but
before they came
together, she was found
to be with child through
the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18
 Evidence From Matthew’s Account
•Joseph believed Mary had been unfaithful
to him.
•An angel of the Lord convinced him
otherwise.
•Joseph was convinced and married Mary.
•Matthew records the fulfillment of Isaiah
7:14 in verse 23 as the explanation for the
virgin birth.
•Vs. 25 – “But he had no union with her
until she gave birth to a son.
 Evidence from Luke’s account
 Luke examined everything very
carefully before writing his gospel
(Luke 1:3)
 Luke retains the Virgin Birth
narrative.
 Luke 1:31ff
•“You will be with child
and give birth to a son,
and you are to give
him the name Jesus.”
•vs. 34 – How will this
be,” Mary asked the
angel, “since I am a
virgin?”
•Young woman??????
 Luke’s version of the origin:
•Vs. 35 – “…The Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the Most
High will overshadow you….”
•There is no embellishment of the tale as
was common with pagan literature.
•The accounts are straightforward and
matter-of-fact.
 The Christian doctrine varies
drastically from pagan
god/mortal birth accounts.
 Theirs usually includes detail of
the god sleeping with the mortal
woman.
 Usually includes statements of
lust and lewdness.
 Pre-Christian Jewish expectations did not
include a virgin birth.
•The apostles (Jews) had no reason from
Scripture to expect Messiah to be born of a
virgin.
•No early Jewish exegete understood the
Isaiah 7:14 account to speak of the Messiah.
•That information was delivered by the Holy
Spirit through Matthew.
 Doctrine Compatible with Rest of the
New Testament:
•Jesus as the Second Adam:
•1 Corinthians 15:20-22 -- But Christ
has indeed been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen
asleep. 21For since death came
through a man, the resurrection of the
dead comes also through a man.
22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ
all will be made alive….
 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 -- So it is written: "The
first man Adam became a living being"; the last
Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not
come first, but the natural, and after that the
spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the
earth, the second man from heaven. As was
the earthly man, so are those who are of the
earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also
are those who are of heaven. And just as we
have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so
shall we bear the likeness of the man from
heaven.
 Romans 1:3-4 -- …regarding his Son,
who as to his human nature was a
descendant of David, and who through the
Spirit of holiness was declared with power
to be the Son of God by his resurrection
from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
 Galatians 4:4-5 -- But when the time had
fully come, God sent his Son, born of a
woman, born under law, to redeem those
under law, that we might receive the full
rights of sons.
 Philippians 2:7 -- but made himself
nothing, taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human
likeness.”
 In each case, MADE is from GINOMAI –
to be formed, be made, come to be.
 Usual word for procreated/born:
GENNETOS.
 Was Paul leaving a clue?
 Hebrews 4:15 -- For we do not have a
high priest who is unable to sympathize
with our weaknesses, but we have one
who has been tempted in every way, just
as we are—yet was without sin.
 Accomplishes two great needs: Divinity
and also Humanity
 Modern doubters have muddied the
waters. We have every reason, though, to
believe in the virgin birth of Jesus.