GRACE NOTES

The Virgin Birth (Part 1)
By John Woodward
December 7, 2006

On December 1st a new movie about the birth of Christ was released in
theaters. This morning a Christian leader mentioned to me that he
viewed the film and prays that it will be an influential Gospel witness
this season.

Anne Graham Lotz of AnGeL Ministries also commented about it: "From
what I have observed, THE NATIVITY STORY is Biblically accurate,
historically authentic and visually stunning. Written with heart,
directed with sensitivity, produced with excellence and performed with
artistic grace, it is destined to become a beloved, cherished
classic."[1]

One of the essential truths of the nativity is the virgin birth of the
Lord Jesus. Is this aspect of the Biblical record important?
Definitely! Consider how Scripture reveals the miraculous nature of
Christ's birth and its significance for salvation and abundant living.

This study will show that the Savior's virgin birth was historical,
supernatural, and doctrinal.

1. The virgin birth was an historical event.

Skeptics have challenged the historical reliability of the Gospels.
However, when liberal scholars' humanistic bias is set aside, the
internal and external evidence for the Gospel's reliability is
indisputable.[2]

Secular voices have questioned the textual transmission of the New
Testament manuscripts. "How can we be sure that the Bible of today
corresponds with the original?" This deserves an informed answer. When
the facts are explored, we discover over 5,000 handwritten copies of
portions or complete books of the Greek New Testament. (This does not
include thousands of copies of translations in other languages and
comprehensive quotations from ancient authors in church history.) When
studied and compared, the manuscripts prove the essential accuracy of
the Gospels and other New Testament books.[3]

Those who assume that the Gospel writers based their record on hearsay
need to take a closer look at the way Scripture correlates with first
century people, places, and events. Listen to Luke's methodology:
"Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of
those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from
the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered
them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding
of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account,
most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those
things in which you were instructed" (Luke 1:1-4).

To document the Messiah's lineage as the Son of Abraham and David (to
whom God made covenant promises of the coming redeemer), Matthew
recorded a genealogy tracing His legal credentials through his
stepfather, Joseph (Matt. 1:1-17). Just as the previous generations
could be historically validated, so the birth of Christ is historically
confirmed.

The scribes knew that the Bible prophesied that the Messiah would be
born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matt. 2:4-6). The "seventy weeks"
prophecy of Daniel even predicted the year that the Messiah would come
(Dan. 9:23-27).[4]

Matthew recorded the virgin birth as follows: "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.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her
a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 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. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His
name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.' 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.' Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did
as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and
did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he
called His name JESUS" (Matt. 1:18-25).

Preview Ministries gives further information about the newly released
movie based on these pivotal events: "The studio and filmmakers have
worked hard to ensure that the The Nativity Story is both historically
and biblically accurate: There are many Christians involved with the
film, such as screenwriter Mike Rich and producer Wyck Godfrey, and a
wide spectrum of Christian New Testament scholars and historians has
been involved in the pre-production process... "[5]

Whether you see The Nativity Story, hear the theme in Christmas carols,
or read the Biblical account personally, you can be confident that this
"story" is not myth or legend. The virgin birth is historically
documented as a vital witness to the unique person and work of Christ.

~~~~~~~~~

Part 1 of 3

[1] As quoted from Preview Ministries web site:
http://preview.gospelcom.net/boatwright/nativity.html

[2] For extensive evidence on the reliability of New Testament
Scripture, see The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel (Zondervan, 1998).

Legal scholar, J. Harold Greenlee stated, "...the number of available
MSS of the New Testament are overwhelmingly greater than those of any
other work of ancient literature....The earliest extant MSS of the N.T.
were written much closer to the date of the original writing than is
the case with almost any other piece of ancient literature." -
Introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism, Eerdmans, 1964, p.19.
(quoted in Josh McDowell's Evidence That Demands a Verdict, vol. 1)

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The purpose of Grace Notes is to highlight the dynamics of abundant
living as summarized in Galatians 2:20. Back issues are available at


Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward

Printed with permission by the author
JM

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