The Virgin birth of Jesus
jaQui 2015/03/04 09:29
jaQui 2015/03/04 09:29
There are certain theological
concepts or words which we share
in common with the Muslims,
though the meanings which we
attach to them differ substantially,
and even contradict completely
with that which they attach to
them? Five of these concepts or
words which I feel are of
importance are 1) the meaning of
the title Messiah, 2) the fact of the
Virgin Birth, 3) the concept of the
Kingdom of God, 4) the Name for
Jesus, and 5) the significance of the
Sacrificial Lamb. What I find
interesting is that while Christians
place great importance on all of
these five ideas, the Muslims
though they recognize their
existance in scripture, have no real
concept of their importance, and at
times do not even understand
what they mean, or the significance
they hold for the sources from
which they were borrowed.
concepts or words which we share
in common with the Muslims,
though the meanings which we
attach to them differ substantially,
and even contradict completely
with that which they attach to
them? Five of these concepts or
words which I feel are of
importance are 1) the meaning of
the title Messiah, 2) the fact of the
Virgin Birth, 3) the concept of the
Kingdom of God, 4) the Name for
Jesus, and 5) the significance of the
Sacrificial Lamb. What I find
interesting is that while Christians
place great importance on all of
these five ideas, the Muslims
though they recognize their
existance in scripture, have no real
concept of their importance, and at
times do not even understand
what they mean, or the significance
they hold for the sources from
which they were borrowed.
jaQui 2015/03/05 03:15
Why is the Virgin Birth
so important?
The doctrine of the virgin birth is crucially important (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27, 34).
First, let’s look at how Scripture
describes the event. In response to
Mary’s question, “How will this
be?†( Luke 1:34), Gabriel says, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you†( Luke 1:35). The angel encourages Joseph to not fear marrying Mary with these words: “What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit†( Matthew 1:20). Matthew states that the virgin “was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit†( Matthew 1:18). Galatians 4:4 also teaches the Virgin Birth: “God sent His Son, born of a woman.â€
From these passages, it is certainly
clear that Jesus’ birth was the result of the Holy Spirit working within Mary’s body. The immaterial (the Spirit) and the material (Mary’s womb) were both involved. Mary, of course, could not impregnate herself, and in that sense she was simply a “vessel.†Only God could perform the miracle of the Incarnation.
Why is the Virgin Birth
so important?
The doctrine of the virgin birth is crucially important (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27, 34).
First, let’s look at how Scripture
describes the event. In response to
Mary’s question, “How will this
be?†( Luke 1:34), Gabriel says, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you†( Luke 1:35). The angel encourages Joseph to not fear marrying Mary with these words: “What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit†( Matthew 1:20). Matthew states that the virgin “was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit†( Matthew 1:18). Galatians 4:4 also teaches the Virgin Birth: “God sent His Son, born of a woman.â€
From these passages, it is certainly
clear that Jesus’ birth was the result of the Holy Spirit working within Mary’s body. The immaterial (the Spirit) and the material (Mary’s womb) were both involved. Mary, of course, could not impregnate herself, and in that sense she was simply a “vessel.†Only God could perform the miracle of the Incarnation.
thanx for the info Samu...
#78 Faith/Beliefs
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