The Incarnation
The Virgin Birth
Conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary
Description
The incarnation began with a miracle: the eternal Son took human nature through conception in the womb of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, without a human father. This was not a mythological divine-human mating but a supernatural creative act. The virgin birth protected Christ from inheriting Adam's guilt through natural generation while ensuring His true humanity through Mary. He was born of a woman, born under the law, fully human in every respect yet without sin. The miracle of the virgin birth signals the newness of what God was doing—beginning the new creation in the womb of a virgin.
Key Verses
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. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
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.
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.