Lesson 8 The Virgin Birth of CHRIST
Part 1
In last week´s study we learned that JRSUS CHRIST is DEITY. HE is the SON of GOD. In today´s lesson we will learn that HE became a man. HE took our likeness and form to HIMSELF.
Philipians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
As Christians, we believe that since Adam fell into sin, and that we all are born with a sin nature which we inherit from our parents.
Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
If CHRIST had inherited this sin nature, HE was a sinner and died for HIS own sin. Even if CHRIST had lived a sinless life, HE would be unable to save the soul of anyone. So how did GOD accomplish this requirement, that CHRIST be born without sin?
GOD the FATHER solved the problem by what is known as the “virgin birth”. The mystery of the virgin birth is to be believed, accepted, and adored by Christians. The only logical answer to the problem is that the sin nature passed from the father to the child and not from the mother to the child. JESUS did not have a human father. The HOLY GHOST was HIS FATHER. Mary was HIS mother but did not pass on a sin nature to the baby JESUS.
Virgin Birth Foretold.
No sooner had man sinned than GOD found a way to bring man back to HIM.
Genesis 3:15 is the first mention of the promised Redeemer.
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
GOD calls Abraham to be the father of the chosen nation of Israel.
Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
This promised blessing was to be given to mankind through the tribe of Judah.
Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
The Saviour was to be born into the family of David.
II Samuel 7:8-16Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
The actual prophecy of the virgin birth is found in Isaiah7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
This same prophecy is repeated in Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
The prophecy is that JESUS the human ONE was to be born, but JESUS the DIVINE GOD was to be given. That JESUS as GOD was eternal and could not be born is found in Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Fulfillment of the Prophecy
Matthew 1:18-25 gives the story of this fulfillment.
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.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Luke 2:4-7 does also.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Mary was engaged to Joseph but they were not yet married. CHRIST was born of a virgin but a betrothed virgin so that she could be married to protect her good name. Mary´s conception was definitely from the Holy Ghost and not from her fiance Joseph or any other man. GOD guarantees this so that we might be given a perfect Saviour. GOD encouraged Joseph to marry Mary so that he could be a companion and guide to her in order to protect her from the law.
Leviticus 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
In Matthew 1:25 we read that though Joseph and Mary were married they never lived together as husband and wife until after the birth of CHRIST. GOD took care to insert this verse with intimate information in order to show us that the unborn child could not possible be contaminated by a human father.
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
The Virgin Birth Is Taught in the Scripture
Matthew states that JESUS was conceived by the HOLY GHOST and born of a virgin in Matthew 1:18,20,23 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.
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.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Luke was a medical doctor and would be very interested in this medical phenomenon. Every child must have a father. Who, then, was the father of baby JESUS? If the father were human, then HE had a sin nature and we are still in our sins. Luke carefully explains the unusual conception in Luke 1:27,31, 34 and 35
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
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 be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
In Luke 1:34 Mary asks the sensible question of the angel - How can I have a child when I am not married and inferred that she was a pure virgin. In Luke 1:35 the angel explained that the Holy Ghost would be the father.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A Quote to Ponder
I´d rather be a failure at something I enjoy than be a success at something I hate.
- George Burns
- George Burns
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Searching the Scripture
Lesson 7 Prophesies and the Life of CHRIST
Part 2
The Life of CHRIST
In HIS pre-incarnate state as GOD, JESUS has always existed. HE was before all things.
HIS birth to the Virgin Mary is recorded in the books of Matthew and Luke.
CHRIST was circumcised when HE was eight days old. This is recorded in Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
JESUS was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of twelve as recorded in Luke 2:41-48 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
JESUS spent HIS early years as a carpenter in the town of Nazareth.
Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
HE began HIS ministry in Judea, Samaria and Galilee. This period of time lasted six months.
JESUS´first miracle was performed at Cana of Galilee - John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and HIS second miracle which was the healing of the nobleman´s son took place in Capernaum.
John 4:46 and 54 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
The second part of the ministry of CHRIST covered a period of 6 to 8 months in the area of Capernaum and Galilee. It was during this time that HE performed miracles, healed the sick, and preached the Gospel.
The third part of HIS ministry was the later Galilean ministry which lasted for approximately one year in the area of Galilee. The crowds began to follow HIM. HE preached the Sermon on the Mount during this time. Read Matthew chapters 5 through 7.
This the fourth stage of HIS ministry. The Pharisees began to hound HIM in earnest as they sought HIS life. HE traveled to Capernaum, Phoenicia, Bethsaida, Caesarea, Philippi and then re-entered Galilee.
HIS last six months was spent preaching, teaching, and traveling.
The last week of HIS ministry included what we now call Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, and Gethsemane as well as the trials and death on the cross.
Three days later, as prophesied, JESUS rose from the dead.
Forty days after the resurrection, CHRIST ascended visibly and bodily into heaven.
Acts 1:10-11 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The Miracles of JESUS
Briefly, let’s definite miracle. A miracle is the setting aside of a lower law by a higher law. Lower law is the natural, physical law of the earth and of nature. Only GOD can do things contrary to this lower law.
If JESUS truly was able to perform miracles then HE is GOD. Man, however, cannot perform true miracles.
The LORD JESUS did not perform miracles to “show off” or to entertain the people. HE performed miracles to prove HIS DEITY and to cause men to believe in HIM, in HIS message, and in HIMSELF as a person.
John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
JESUS performed believable miracles over nature. HE stilled the tempest, calmed the wind and water. He walked on water.
Matt. 8:26-27 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Matt. 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
HE performed miracles over demons.
Mark 5:12-13 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
Matt. 8:28-32 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
JESUS performed miracles over disease. HE cleansed the leper, healed the lame, opened the eyes of the blind, caused the deaf to hear, and caused fever to leave the afflicted.
Matt. 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matt. 12:10-13 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
JESUS performed miracles over death. HE raised the dead contrary to all human law.
John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Matt. 9:23-25 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
Luke 7:12-15 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
Our SAVIOUR´s miracles were performed openly in the presence of many witnesses and were recorded by divine inspiration so that we might read and believe.
JESUS´ life on earth can be summarized in the words that we find in Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
HE left us an example that we should follow.
I Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
We are to walk as HE walked.
I John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
CHRIST came to do GOD´s will and so should we.
Part 2
The Life of CHRIST
In HIS pre-incarnate state as GOD, JESUS has always existed. HE was before all things.
HIS birth to the Virgin Mary is recorded in the books of Matthew and Luke.
CHRIST was circumcised when HE was eight days old. This is recorded in Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
JESUS was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem at the age of twelve as recorded in Luke 2:41-48 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
JESUS spent HIS early years as a carpenter in the town of Nazareth.
Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
HE began HIS ministry in Judea, Samaria and Galilee. This period of time lasted six months.
JESUS´first miracle was performed at Cana of Galilee - John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and HIS second miracle which was the healing of the nobleman´s son took place in Capernaum.
John 4:46 and 54 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
The second part of the ministry of CHRIST covered a period of 6 to 8 months in the area of Capernaum and Galilee. It was during this time that HE performed miracles, healed the sick, and preached the Gospel.
The third part of HIS ministry was the later Galilean ministry which lasted for approximately one year in the area of Galilee. The crowds began to follow HIM. HE preached the Sermon on the Mount during this time. Read Matthew chapters 5 through 7.
This the fourth stage of HIS ministry. The Pharisees began to hound HIM in earnest as they sought HIS life. HE traveled to Capernaum, Phoenicia, Bethsaida, Caesarea, Philippi and then re-entered Galilee.
HIS last six months was spent preaching, teaching, and traveling.
The last week of HIS ministry included what we now call Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, and Gethsemane as well as the trials and death on the cross.
Three days later, as prophesied, JESUS rose from the dead.
Forty days after the resurrection, CHRIST ascended visibly and bodily into heaven.
Acts 1:10-11 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The Miracles of JESUS
Briefly, let’s definite miracle. A miracle is the setting aside of a lower law by a higher law. Lower law is the natural, physical law of the earth and of nature. Only GOD can do things contrary to this lower law.
If JESUS truly was able to perform miracles then HE is GOD. Man, however, cannot perform true miracles.
The LORD JESUS did not perform miracles to “show off” or to entertain the people. HE performed miracles to prove HIS DEITY and to cause men to believe in HIM, in HIS message, and in HIMSELF as a person.
John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
JESUS performed believable miracles over nature. HE stilled the tempest, calmed the wind and water. He walked on water.
Matt. 8:26-27 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Matt. 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
HE performed miracles over demons.
Mark 5:12-13 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
Matt. 8:28-32 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
JESUS performed miracles over disease. HE cleansed the leper, healed the lame, opened the eyes of the blind, caused the deaf to hear, and caused fever to leave the afflicted.
Matt. 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matt. 12:10-13 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
JESUS performed miracles over death. HE raised the dead contrary to all human law.
John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Matt. 9:23-25 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
Luke 7:12-15 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
Our SAVIOUR´s miracles were performed openly in the presence of many witnesses and were recorded by divine inspiration so that we might read and believe.
JESUS´ life on earth can be summarized in the words that we find in Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
HE left us an example that we should follow.
I Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
We are to walk as HE walked.
I John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
CHRIST came to do GOD´s will and so should we.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
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