Born of a Virgin: The Audacious Claims of the Christmas Story

Introduction:

The Virgin Birth, the Resurrection, the raising of Lazarus, even the Old Testament miracles, all are freely used for religious propaganda, and they are very effective with an audience of unsophisticates and children.

Richard Dawkins

Episcopal bishop John Shelby Spong argue the doctrine was just evidence of the early church’s over-claiming of Christ’s deity. It is, Spong tells us, the “entrance myth” to go with the resurrection, the “exit myth.”

“The faith in the Virgin Birth reflects the way American Christianity is becoming less intellectual and more mystical over time.”

"If somebody can predict their own death and then their own resurrection, I'm not all that concerned about how they got into the world." Andy Stanley

I want to argue that you should be concerned about the biblical teaching of the virgin birth.

One prominent facility member at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary said this about a position regarding the virgin Birth.

If a faclity member is lead by the scriptures not to believe the virgin birth that facility member should not be fired.

If there is no virgin birth there is no gospel. The virgin birth is the biblical revolution of Christ the fully God fully man savior of sinners.

“who might also be led by the Scripture not to believe in the virgin birth should not be fired.”

Luke 1:26–38 ESV

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Why should I believe in the virgin birth?

Because the perfect word of God proclaims this truth.

I should believe the virgin birth because the bible is true and trustworthy.

The Bible is true and trustworthy.

The Bible asserts the Virgin birth.

Luke is seen as a historian. He is not relying on secondary sources. This type thing demands primary sources.

The Virgin birth is a historical fact.

Why should I believe the Virgin Birth?

Because of the witness of the early church.

Notice the witness of the early church.

Ignatious of Antioch - Probably the second Elder lead/elder of the church at Atntioch - He was Myrtered AD 110.

“Now the virginity of Mary and her giving birth were hidden from the ruler of this age, as was also the death of the Lord...”

Justin Martyr - (AD 100 - 165) Wrote in the middle Second Century AD

For Eve, who was a virgin and undefiled, having conceived the word of the serpent, brought forth disobedience and death. But the virgin Mary received faith and joy, when the angel Gabriel announced the good tidings to her …, by whom God destroys both the serpent and those angels and men that became like it.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,       creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,       who was conceived by the Holy Spirit       and born of the virgin Mary.       He suffered under Pontius Pilate,       was crucified, died, and was buried;       he descended to hell.       The third day he rose again from the dead.       He ascended to heaven       and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.       From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

The early church is not an infallible witness - It is important to understand that the virgin birth wasn't a later development of the church but was a foundational tenet of the Christian faith.

The Son of God became man to enable men to become the sons of God.

C.S. Lewis

Albert Mohler

"The fact is that biblical Christianity and ultimately the Gospel of Christ cannot survive the denial of the virgin birth. Because without the virgin birth, you end up with a very different Jesus than the fully human, fully divine savior revealed in scripture."

Christmas Sermons The Virgin Birth--Why Believe It? (Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38)

It is possible to believe in the virgin birth and incarnation of the Savior and yet not be saved. Salvation does not depend upon affirming the creeds. “The demons also believe” (James 2:19). Salvation depends upon personally receiving the free gift of eternal life which God offers to you through His eternal Son who took on human flesh through the virgin Mary on that first Christmas, who offered Himself as the substitute for sinners on the cross. If God is truly with us in Christ, then we must come to God only through Christ.

Paul Harvey

Christmas Sermons The Virgin Birth--Why Believe It? (Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38)

Paul Harvey