Online Sermons
Lesson #8 - Virgin
Series: One WordLESSON #8 – VIRGIN
Intro: Was Jesus really born of a virgin?
The crux of the discussion centers on a miraculous conception. Jesus’ birth (gestation and delivery) was quite normal.
Matthew’s account presents the conception from Joseph’s point of view and Luke’s account reflects Mary’s vantage point.
While the kernel of the gospel proclaimed by the apostles (the death, burial and resurrection/1Cor.15:3-4) does not revisit the miraculous conception, neither does it speak of His birth. That by itself, does not imply that such is non-important.
Jesus became GOD INCARNATE - - They shall call His name, Immanuel, which translated means ‘God with us’ (Mt.1:23).
The miraculous conception tells how the incarnation transpired - - Jesus born of the seed of woman (Gen.3:15 & Gal.4:4).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ISAIAH 7:14?
These words were spoken by God through Isaiah in the presence of King Ahaz to the house of David some 700 years B.C. - -
The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a VIRGIN will be with child & bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Considerable debate has focused on the meaning of the Hebrew word, almah, with some scholars arguing that it can mean simply a young maiden, and others arguing that it always implies a virgin (a woman who has never sexually known a man).
“Almah” occurs in the Old Testament less than ten times, and in each instance refers to an unmarried, chaste maiden.
Note: in Gen.24:16 Rebekah is called a “bethulah” (virgin) and in Gen.14:43 she is spoken of as an “almah” (maiden).
This sign was given to the house of David (Isa.7:13) - - i.e., Israel’s future as it would be determined in Christ.
John the apostle says of Isaiah (Jn.12:43) - - Isaiah…saw HIS GLORY, and he spoke of HIM (i.e., Jesus the Christ).
2) HOW DID MATTHEW INTERPRET ISAIAH’S PROPEHCY?
Mt.1:20f…Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; FOR THAT WHICH HAS BEEN CONCEIVED IN HER IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. And she will bear a Son;
and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins. NOW ALL THIS TOOK PLACE
THAT WHAT WAS SPOKEN BY THE LORD THROUGH THE PROPHET MIGHT BE FULFILLED, saying, ‘Behold the virgin shall
be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’, which translated means, ‘God with us’.
Matthew quotes the text of Isaiah from the Greek Old Testament (The Septuagint / a.k.a. LXX).
In the Mt.1:23 Greek text of Isaiah 7:14 the word “parthenos” (virgin) is used instead of the Hebrew “almah”.
Parthenogenesis is a term describing the reproduction of organisms without the conjunction of gametes of opposite sexes.
Mt.1:18 / Before Mary and Joseph came together, she was found to be with child BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Lk.1:26-27 / the angel Gabriel was sent…to a VIRGIN engaged to a man whose name was Joseph…
Lk.1:31f / …You will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus…And Mary said to the angel,
‘How can this be, since I AM A VIRGIN?’… And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.’
3. HOW CAN A VIRGIN CONCEPTION BE EXPLAINED?
It was a miracle! Just like the resurrection and many other extraordinary signs and wonders witnessed in the time of Jesus.
MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS
For what its worth - - 80% of Americans claim to believe in the virgin birth.
Mt.1:25 states, (Joseph) kept (Mary) a VIRGIN until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
The term “immaculate conception” is un-Scriptural. It attempts to combat the false idea of “original/inherited sin”.
Larry King, the famous talk show host, was once asked who he would most like to interview. He answered, “Jesus Christ”.
“I would like to ask Him if He indeed was virgin-born. The answer to that question would define history for me.”
