The virgin birth refers to the miracle of the Holy Spirit causing Mary to conceive without knowing her husband Joseph. A more proper name for this is the "virgin conception." However, it has come to be known as the "virgin birth."
Recently I've been thinking about this as Christmas is upon us. Is it possible for a person who says they are a Christian to deny the virgin birth? One teacher a few years ago said that the miracles Christ did verified who he was as God. Therefore, "I don't care how He got here. But how Christ got here is essential.
Someone who accepts the Gospel but has not yet heard of the virgin birth is still saved. But if that person knowingly rejects the virgin birth they can't truly be saved. Why?
To reject the virgin birth means Jesus had to have a human father. A man has to be introduced into the equation. Some think Joseph may have had relations with her and then suggested the virgin birth idea to cover his tracks. Others posit that a Roman soldier impregnated her and the idea of the "virgin birth" somehow grew out of that. But the text of the Old and New Testament clearly supports the virgin birth (cf. Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Jer. 31:22; Mat. 1; Lu. 1;).
If Jesus was not born of a virgin then He was not the sinless savior who came to die for our sin. It would mean that the sin nature of man, that is passed from the human father (Rom. 5:12), was also within Jesus. If Jesus had a sin nature then he was also a sinner by nature like all who are the sons of Adam. The sacrificial lamb of the Old Testament was to be unblemished or perfect so it would be acceptable to God as a sin Sacrifice (Ex. 12:5; I Pet. 1:29). That was a picture of Christ's perfect and sinless sacrifice for us. He can only be our perfect sacrifice by being virgin born with no sin nature (Heb. 9:12-14).
It is good for us to think this through and to teach them to our children at Christmas. The virgin birth and the resurrection of Christ are bookend miracles affirming Christ as God but also are essential in the very work of salvation.
I like the little the way the Irish pastor, Dr. Ian Paisley, put it in this short poem.
A Virgin unspotted the prophets foretold,
Should bring forth a Savior which now we behold.
To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin
Which Adam's transgression had wrapped us up in.
Join us Christmas Eve morning at 10:30 for our special Christmas Eve service celebrating the birth of our savior. Our choir and musicians have put together much Christmas music as Adria illustrates in chalk the Christmas message I will bring. One service only.
Nancy and I would like to wish you all a blessed Christmas as you celebrate the birth of the Savior.
Pastor Mark
Writing to you from LA, CA