# 2 Do You Believe: The Virgin Birth

Introduction: Do You Believe is our Christmas series this year. We are studying the five fundamentals of the Christian faith. And what are the five Fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith? They are:

1. The Inspiration of the Bible.

2. The Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ.

3. The Deity of Jesus Christ.

4. The Substitutionary Atonement.

5. The Bodily Resurrection.

Today we will be looking at the second fundamental of the Christian faith, and that is the doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ. That Jesus was born without the agency of a human father (Matthew 1:18, 20, 23, 25).

Allow me to share with you some of the prevailing views surrounding the Virgin Birth:

· Christianity– Just about every Christian denomination, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox accept the virgin birth as a central tenet of their faith. They believe that Mary, a young Jewish woman, conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit without the involvement of a human father.

· Symbolic Interpretation– Liberal Christians view the virgin birth as a symbolic or metaphorical expression rather than a literal event. They may emphasize the theological significance of the whole story while not necessarily affirming its historical accuracy.

· Islam– Acknowledges the virgin birth of Jesus, known as ‘Isa in Islam. The Qur’an describes Mary as a virgin who miraculously gives birth to Jesus. However, Islamic belief about Jesus differs significantly from Christian doctrine, as Islam see Jesus as a prophet and not the Son of God.

· Judaism– The Jews do not accept the Christian belief in the virgin birth. Traditional Judaism views Jesus as a historical figure but does not recognize him as the Messiah. The concept of a virgin birth is not part of Jewish theology.

· Secular Perspectives– From a secular or historical perspective, some scholars approach the virgin birth as a narrative element developed within the early Christian community to emphasize the unique nature of Jesus’ birth and to align him with messianic prophecies.

· Skeptical or Agnostic Views– Some individuals, both within and outside religious communities, may approach the virgin birth with skepticism. They may question the literal accuracy of the biblical account and see it as a product of ancient mythological or cultural influences.

· New Religious Movements– Diverse Beliefs: In some newer religious movements or sects, beliefs about the virgin birth can vary widely. Some may reinterpret the story in unique ways, incorporating it into their own theological frameworks.[1]

If there is one Fundamental doctrine that people question and doubt the legitimacy, it is the doctrine of the virgin birth.

I like what Dr. J. Vernon McGee penned when he sought to answer someone who didn’t believe in the virgin birth because it was contrary to nature. He wrote, “Well, my friend, to be sure, it is contrary to nature. That’s the whole point of it! Any manifestation of God’s command is contrary to nature.”[2]

Now, not all those various views can be correct, so is there a correct view? Yes, there is. And it is clearly seen in Scripture.

Therefore, once again let’s take a close look at Matthew 1:18-25. I draw your attention to Matthew 1:18,

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:

As I mentioned last Sunday, either Matthew recorded it right, or you can’t trust any of the Scripture. Either the birth of Jesus happened the way it is written down in the Bible, or you can’t believe any of it. Either Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, or He wasn’t.

Question: Do you believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin?

This is the question that I hope to provide you with a satisfying answer to. First, let’s look at…

I. The Sanctity of Jesus’ birth – Matthew 1:18b

The second half of verse 18 says,

After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Our verse tells us that Mary was betrothed to Joseph. This means that they were legally married according to law. Together they had entered a covenant relationship. A marriage relationship that could only be severed by death.

Next, we read,

before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Before Mary and Joseph consummated their marriage she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. No doubt this caused Joseph’s world to come crashing down upon him. Surely, he had an idea as to what transpired – his bride had cheated on him. She had been unfaithful.

However, our text is quick to tell us that this event was a God thing, and that Mary was with child of the Holy Spirit. So, then, Mary’s conception was a God thing.

Underline the word “of” (other translations: by, from, through) in our text. I have read that this word speaks of origin. So, then, the origin of the child mentioned in our text is of the Holy Spirit. No earthly man involved!

These words here in the Bible were God way of protecting Mary’s innocence and purity as a Jewish girl. She wasn’t unfaithful. No, God was at work through her to bless all people.

Now, did the virgin birth happen? Personally, I have no problem with this. I believe that there is nothing God cannot do. In fact, we read in Luke 1:37,

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”

J. Vernon McGee wrote, “That’s the explanation of the Virgin Birth.”

What we read here in this verse is that Mary’s conception was supernatural (outside the realm of science). Can you buy into the supernatural? I can! So, then, the virgin birth is all of God!

Next, I want us to look at…

II. The Secrecy of Jesus’ birth – Matthew 1:19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make here a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

What makes the story of Jesus’ birth unique is that when Joseph got wind of Mary being with child that he didn’t have her stoned to death. Moses penned in Leviticus 20:10,

10 ‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.

How do we as people deal with indiscretions (our sins)? We hide them. We secretly cover them up. Remember that Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves when they sinned against God (Genesis 3:7). And we also know that many people even today try to privately hide their sins. Even families seek to do this. They either want to protect the person they love, or they don’t want their family embarrassed by the indiscretion. We are all good at hiding our sin.

Joseph could have made Mary a public example, but he did not want to do that to her. His love outweighed his disappointment in her. To make her a “public example” is a polite way of saying that Joseph could have brought an accusation against Mary, and then by Jewish law he could have had her stoned to death.

God is not going to leave Joseph trying to cover up Mary’s pregnancy. No, God is going to reveal His plan to Joseph. It was while Joseph was thinking about all these things that an angel of the Lord came and spoke to him.

And this brings us to…

III. The Sovereignty of Jesus’ birth – Matthew 1:20-23

But while he thought about these things, Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”

Do you think Joseph had some doubt about the faithfulness of Mary’s commitment to him? After all, she is with child. Do you think a cloud of confusion hung in his head? Of course.

The good news again is that God doesn’t leave Joseph, or us shrouded in doubt about Mary. No, we read that an angel of the Lord revealed to Joseph that Mary wasn’t unfaithful, but that God chose her to become the mother of His Son.

Two times in this passage of Scripture we are provided with insight into the birth of Jesus Christ. We are told that this birth was of the Holy Spirit. Look at…

· Matthew 1:18 - 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

· Matthew 1:20 - 20But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

God made sure that all doubt about Mary’s being unfaithful was erased in the mind of Joseph. Listen, when you hear from God all doubt is gone! Joseph’s heart was now at rest. He rested in God’s plan.

Are you aware that God was involved in the virgin birth some 700 years before what we are reading here in our text even transpired? The angel told Joseph that the event he was living through at that moment was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, and then the angel shared Isaiah 7:14, the very verse that speaks of the virgin birth. We read,

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

In Isaiah 7:14 the Hebrew word for “virgin” is “alma” (al-maw), and it is translated, virgin, maid, damsel. The Hebrew mind at the time understood that this word meant a young woman that had never been with a man.

Now, I want you to underline the word “virgin” used here in Matthew 1:23. The Greek word used here is “Parthenos” (par-then’-os), and it is translated, virgin, a maiden, and by implication an unmarried daughter. Thus, a young woman that had never been with a man.

The Virgin Birth is essential to the Christian faith. Consider…

The Theological Implications of the Virgin Birth

1. Divine intervention– the belief that Mary’s pregnancy was a supernatural conception. It was a God thing. It wasn’t the result of human procreation. It was a divine miracle orchestrated by the Holy Spirit.

2. Sinlessness of Jesus– because the virgin birth Jesus was born without original sin. Jesus did not inherit the sin nature passed down through human generations.

3. Fulfilled prophecy– the virgin birth is seen as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14.

4. Divine nature– the dual nature of Jesus. He was both fully man and fully God. This is the message for next Sunday. [3]

Finally, I want us to see…

IV. The Satisfaction of Jesus’ birth – Matthew 1:24-25

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. This tells me that Joseph was fully satisfied with the revelation he received from the angel of the Lord. It squelched all his doubt, and he fully trusted God, and fully loved his wife. Our text says,

And took to him his wife,

Joseph received her, he brought her near him, he associated himself with her, and he saw himself as her husband. In his mind, she was his wife, and he was thrilled.

And what is VITAL in our text is found in verse 25,

25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Joseph didn’t have ANY physical relations with Mary until after she had brought forth her firstborn Son (which by implication means that she had additional children – Matthew 12:46; Mark 6:3; Luke 8:19; John 2:12, 7:1-10; Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19)). This is of vital importance. For had they come together before she delivered her firstborn Son there would be QUESTION about the legitimacy of the Virgin Birth. But because they put on pause the consummation of their marriage you cannot doubt the Virgin Birth, or that Mary gave birth to a son, called JESUS.

Paul Smith wrote, “A virgin birth seems a must and appropriate and creative way for God to enter His world.”

Conclusion: Do You Believe that the virgin birth happened? Do you believe that Christmas really happened?

How important is the virgin birth?

1. It is fundamental to the Christian faith. Do away with the virgin birth and there is NO Christian faith. It is that essential.

2. In the virgin birth we see God’s redemptive plan being revealed to mankind. God set His plan into motion. For it is through the virgin birth that a SAVIOR was born.

3. Are you aware that the name JESUS means just that, Savior. Looking back at Matthew 1:21 we read,

21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

4. The virgin birth fulfills biblical prophecy. It happened exactly as prophesized in the Old Testament. Isaiah through inspiration got it right (Isaiah 7:14).

5. Finally, it is important that you personalize the virgin birth. How? By realizing that the virgin birth was accomplished for your salvation. JESUS was born without sin, so that He could take your sin to the cross. Scripture tells us,

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Don’t go through the motions of Christmas without knowing the SAVIOR.

[1]Information found online. [2]Centerpiece of Scripture, J. Vernon McGee, 1995 [3]Unsure where I found this info.