Christology 3: The Incarnation of Christ.

During the 20TH century, a determined assault upon the doctrine of the "Virgin Birth" of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was waged. Now, in many corners of Christendom this doctrine is regarded as "non-essential" to the Christian faith, and held by some to be just a fable.

Nothing could be further from the truth — the Virgin Birth of Christ is an absolutely essential doctrine!

If Jesus Christ was not virgin born — He is only a man, not God!

If Jesus Christ was not virgin born — He could not be our Saviour!

If Jesus Christ was not virgin born - the Books of Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and John are all fakes!

The fact is, the doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Christ is a cardinal doctrine — one of the fundamentals of our Baptist faith.

This lecture will examine the Bible teaching on the matter.

I. Reasons for the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.

According to Revelation 13:8, the incarnation was a predetermined event in human history. There are many Biblical reasons why Christ came into this world:

Revelation 13:8 KJV 1900

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

A. To confirm the Promises of God.

Romans 15:8 KJV 1900

8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

This scripture refers to Messianic prophecies such as Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 9:6,7; Micah 5:2; etc.

Genesis 3:15 KJV 1900

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Isaiah 9:6–7 KJV 1900

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Micah 5:2 KJV 1900

2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

B. To Save Sinners.

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

1 Timothy 1:15 KJV 1900

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

C. To Reveal God the Father.


John 1:18 KJV 1900

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 14:9 KJV 1900

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

D. To become a faithful High Priest.

Hebrews 2:17 KJV 1900

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

See also: Hebrews 4:15,16; 5:1-5.

Hebrews 4:15–16 KJV 1900

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 5:1–5 KJV 1900

1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

E. To Put away Sin.

John 3:5 KJV 1900

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

See: Mark 10:45; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 9:26-28.

Mark 10:45 KJV 1900

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Galatians 4:5 KJV 1900

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Hebrews 9:26–28 KJV 1900

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

F. To Destroy the works of Satan.

Hebrews 2:14 KJV 1900

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

1 John 3:8 KJV 1900

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

See: John 12:31; Revelation 20:10.

John 12:31 KJV 1900

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

Revelation 20:10 KJV 1900

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

G. To Give us an example of a Holy life.

See: Matthew 11:29; I Peter 2:21; I John 2:6.

Matthew 11:29 KJV 1900

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

1 Peter 2:21 KJV 1900

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 John 2:6 KJV 1900

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

II. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures.

Five key scriptures teach the fact of the Virgin Birth of Christ:

A. The Protevangelium- Genesis 3:15.

Genesis 3:15 KJV 1900

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

This first announcement (protevangelium) of a Saviour refers to Him as the “seed of the woman." This is significant because the Saviour would have no human father.

B. The Immanuel Prophecy. Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 7:14 KJV 1900

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.

This verse expressly declares a virgin birth. Incidentally, the name

"Immanuel" means "with us is God!"

C. The Gospel accounts of the Birth of Christ.

1. Matthew 1:16-25.

Matthew 1:16–25 KJV 1900

16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

This passage gives a direct account of the virgin birth of Christ. Note some important statements:

a. "Of whom was born Jesus..." — verse 16.

Compared with the preceding genealogy, the altered expression here is most significant. Jesus was not begotten through "natural generation" with a human father.

See also: Luke 3:23.

Luke 3:23 KJV 1900

23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

b. "Before they came together..." — verse 18.

Mary was with child before marriage. Not only that, but from Joseph's initial reaction, both he and Mary were chaste, God-fearing people — fornication was out of the question.

c. “Conceived...of the Holy Ghost..." — verse 20.

Here, the conception of Jesus Christ in the womb of Mary is declared to be supernatural.

d. "Joseph knew her not..." - verse 25.

2. Luke 1:26-35.

Mary is said to have been a virgin — verse 27.

Mary herself said she was undefiled — verse 34.

Mary was informed that she would experience a supernatural conception — verse 35.

D. The Biblical declaration of Christ’s Eternality.

Matthew 2:6 refers to Micah 5:2, which declares the Messiah to be eternal.

Matthew 2:6 KJV 1900

6 And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Micah 5:2 KJV 1900

2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

John 8:58, along with a number of other scriptures teaches that Christ is the eternal God - a fact which in itself requires some kind of supernatural birth. For the Creator of the Universe to appear in human flesh required a birth like no other birth.

John 8:58 KJV 1900

58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

E. The Teaching of the Pauline Epistles.

Those who reject the doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ often point to the apostle Paul's apparent silence on the subject as some kind of proof that the doctrine is a fabrication.

However, note that Galatians 4:4 clearly states that Christ was born of a WOMAN - a clear reference to Genesis 3:15.

Galatians 4:4 KJV 1900

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Genesis 3:15 KJV 1900

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The apostle Paul could not have believed in the deity, pre-existence, sinlessness, and headship of Christ (as he surely did) without first being convinced that His coming into this world was no ordinary event of nature.

III. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ explained.

Philippians 2:5-8 is sometimes called the "Kenosis" of Christ. The word "kenosis" means "self-emptying." A study of this passage explains exactly what was involved in the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:5–8 KJV 1900

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.