35. What is the meaning of "conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary"?

That the eternal Son of God, who is 1) and continues true and eternal God,2) took upon Himself the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,3) by the operation of the Holy Ghost;4) so that He might also be the true seed of David, 5) like unto His brethren in all things,6) except for sin.7)

1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1.

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the .spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Rom. 1:3,4.

2) Whose are the fathers. and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Rom. 9:5.

3) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son. made of a woman, made under the law. Gal. 4:4.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1: l 4.

4) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold. the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matt. 1:18-20.

And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall he born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35.

5) The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. Ps. 132:11.

6) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Phil. 2:7.

7) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15.

* And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. I John 5:20.

BACK