The Virgin Birth (Part 2)
By John Woodward
December 14, 2006

"On a plaque marking Abraham Lincoln's birthplace near Hodgenville,
Kentucky, is recorded this scrap of conversation: 'Any news down at the
village, Ezry?' 'Well, Squire McLain's gone to Washington to see
Madison swore in, and old Spellman tells me this Bonaparte fella has
captured most of Spain. What's new out here, neighbor?' 'Nothing,
nothing at all, except for a new baby born to Tom Lincoln's. Nothing
ever happens out here.' Some events, whether birthdays in Hodgenville
(or Bethlehem) ... may not create much earthly splash, but those of
lasting importance will eventually get the notice they deserve."[1]

In part 1 we saw that the virgin birth really happened; it was an
historical event. Why is that point challenged by skeptics? This leads
us to the second affirmation.

2. The virgin birth of Christ was supernatural.

Let's take a moment to consider why some folks disbelieve any
supernatural event. When people study history, science, etc., they
interpret the data subjectively according to their own presuppositions.
In other words, learning takes place as they take in new information
which then passes through the grid of their worldview. So, there are at
least two challenges to learning and believing truth: the data may be
flawed, and/or we may misinterpret the data because of a faulty belief
system.

The secular humanist assumes miracles do not happen; therefore,
anything in history that is miraculous is automatically rejected.[2]
Notice how Scripture warns us about this phenomenon: "Beware lest
anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the
tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and
not according to Christ" (Col. 2:8,9).

The vast majority of people, however, believe in God and therefore
would have no problem with the possibility of miracles. God Himself is
the Supernatural One. His existence is continually declared
non-verbally from the universe: "For since the creation of the world
His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they
are without excuse" (Rom.1:20). God is the all powerful creator Who can
and does intervene in the world He made and sustains. Therefore,
history is "His Story." A Ph.D. with an encyclopedic knowledge of
historical people, places, and events nevertheless misses the true
meaning and significance of the past if he/she is not illumined by
God's revelation in the Bible.

Now we come to the testimony of the supernatural nature Christ's
conception in the womb of Mary. We will look at two lines of evidence
that support this: the virgin birth was predicted and accomplished by
the Holy Spirit. [3]

a. The virgin birth was predicted by the Holy Spirit.

Predictive prophecy is supernatural. As Peter declared, "knowing this
first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke
as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet. 1:20,21). Isaiah 7:14
prophesied the virgin birth seven centuries beforehand! "Therefore the
Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." The prophet had
confronted unbelieving King Ahaz with this testimony of God's
intervention to preserve the dynasty of David in Jerusalem from the
northern enemies. Although space prevents a detailed analysis of the
passage and nuances of interpretation, it appears that Isaiah's first
wife had died.[4] His betrothed wife, who was a virgin at the time of
this prediction, would conceive a son after her marriage to Isaiah.
This child's life would be a timetable and testimony of God's
deliverance of Judah (Isa. 7:15-8:4).

However, this historical application is incomplete according the the
Author of Scripture. The true "Immanuel"--God with us--would be the
Lord Jesus.

This is the plain meaning of the account in the Gospels. Listen to
Gabriel's announcement: "'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring
forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will
be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the
throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob
forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.' Then Mary said to
the angel, 'How can this be, since I do not know a man?' (Luke
1:30-34). It is clear that Mary was a virgin, being a Godly woman in
her betrothal period (prior to the Jewish wedding feast and
consummation of the relationship with Joseph).

Matthew confirms this as the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy:
"So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
the Lord through the prophet, saying: 'Behold, the virgin shall be with
child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which is
translated, 'God with us'" (Matt. 1:22,23).[5]

b. The virgin birth was accomplished by the creative act of the Holy
Spirit.

Mary would actually conceive the Christ-child in her womb by a
supernatural, creative act of the Holy Spirit. This kind of miracle was
not out of character for Him; the Spirit of God was prominent in the
creation narrative (Gen. 1:2) and all life ultimately owes its
existence to the Creator.

Gabriel went on the answer Mary's question as to how this miracle would
happen: "And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you;
therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son
of God'" (Luke 1:35).[6]

Twelve years later, Jesus would affirm His true identity when His
mother and step father discovered Him in dialog with religious leaders
in the Jerusalem's temple. He respectfully, yet directly, answered
them: "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My
Father's business?" (Luke 2:49).

To deny the miraculous nature of Christ's birth is to reject the New
Testament record and the true Jesus revealed therein.

By accepting the Biblical testimony of the virgin birth, we are ready
to appreciate the supernatural, incomparable nature of His person and
work. The integrity of the nativity narrative supports the essentials
of our faith as summarized by this early confession: "...great is the
mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the
Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the
world, Received up in glory" (1 Tim. 3:16).

"O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord..."

~~~~~~~

Grace Notes Part 2 (of 3) Dec. 14, 2006

Grace Notebook
Visit us at http://www.gracenotebook.com



Reprinted with permission from the author
JM