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Bible Study Title: Is the Virgin Birth Essential to Christianity? Most of us are familiar with the narrative of Jesus birth: the angel who appears to Mary, the virgin conception, the babe in a manger in Bethlehem, the visit from the shepherds, and the gifts of the Magi. But do these events really matter to Christianity? Does It Matter How Jesus Came into the World? In a December 4, 2016, sermon, Pastor Andy Stanley, of North Point Community Church, introduced his sermon series Who Needs Christmas? with the following statement: One of the challenging things about the Christmas season, and one of the challenging things about the Christmas story, is in fact the Christmas story . . . as it relates to the birth of Jesus. Because theres so much miraculous, theres so much amazing, theres so much thats really unbelievable about it. And a lot of people just dont believe it, and I understand that, and maybe the thought is they had to come up with some myth about the birth of Jesus to give him street cred later on, maybe thats where that came from. Its interesting because Matthew gives us a version of the birth of Christ, Luke does, but Mark and John, they dont even mention it and a lot has been made of that. So before we jump in I just want to say one thing about that whole thing . . . if somebody could predict their own death and their own resurrection, Im not all that concerned about how they got into the world because the whole resurrection thing is so amazing and . . . Christianity doesnt hinge on the truth or even the stories around the birth of Jesus. It really hinges on the Resurrection of Jesus. Now, not surprisingly, this introduction created a great deal of controversy. Was Pastor Stanley really suggesting that events like the virgin birth are inconsequential to Christianity? To defend his statements, Stanley said to The Washington Post, Anyone who listens to all three [sermons in the series] will know that I stand firmly within the orthodox Christian tradition regarding the incarnation of Jesus including the birth narratives as presented [in] Matthew and Luke.1 Now, Stanley may believe the events surrounding Christs birth. Indeed, he treats them as history throughout his three-part sermon series. But his introduction certainly implies that belief in the events described in Matthew and Luke are up for debate. Is he right in saying that only the Resurrection matters and how Jesus came into the world isnt really a matter of concern? The Bible Tells Me So A central tenet of Christianity is indeed the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 15, But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:1217) But this doesnt mean everything else that Scripture tells us about Christ, including the birth narratives, are inconsequential. How is it that we know Christ was raised from the dead? As Paul puts it, According to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:4). We know Jesus was raised from the dead for the same reason we know Jesus walked on water, fed the 5,000, and was born of a virginGods Word tells us so. IF WE CANT TRUST THE BIRTH NARRATIVES, THEN WHY SHOULD WE TRUST THE GOSPELS WHEN THEY TELL US JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD? If we cant trust the birth narratives, then why should we trust the Gospels when they tell us Jesus was raised from the dead? After all, the events surrounding Jesus death and Resurrection are also miraculous and amazing. Dead people dont normally bring themselves back from the dead, temple curtains dont rip in half on their own, tombs dont break open so the dead inside can come out, and angels dont usually roll tomb stones away. Why should we believe all of these events actually took place if we cant believe that the events in the earlier chapters of Matthew and Luke took place? Once you start doubting Gods Word, where do you stop? If Its Only Mentioned Twice, Is It Important? Pastor Stanley mentions that, of the four Gospel writers, only Matthew and Luke include Jesus birth narratives. John begins with a discourse on Jesus as the eternal Word, and Mark jumps in with John the Baptist and Jesus baptism. But just because only two Gospels mention the birth narrative doesnt mean its not important. Something only needs to appear once in Scripture for us to pay heed to it. The frequency of a teaching or narrative doesnt determine its truth, historicity, or even its relevancy. The Virgin Birth Perhaps the most theologically important detail surrounding Christs birth is the virgin conception, popularly referred to as the virgin birth. Both Matthew and Luke mention it (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27, 34). Because Jesus was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), He had a human mother, but not a human father. Due to His unique conception, Jesus, as the babe in the manger, was 100% God and 100% man. But if Jesus was not born of a virgin, if Joseph or another human man was His father, how could He be the God-man? And if Hes not the God-man, the perfect and acceptable sacrifice for our sin, how are we saved? The virgin birth is not a side issue that may or may not be believed by Christians. Its an historical event thats foundational to the gospel. ChristianityGrounded in History Its interesting that Pastor Stanley begins his sermon by downplaying, or even dismissing, the importance of the birth narratives when the whole point of his sermon series was why we need Christmas. His whole first sermon was about the historical backdrop of Christs birth, going back to Gods promise to Abraham. But if we dont need to be concerned with how Jesus came into the world, why should we care about the events over the millennia that led up to Jesus birth? Stanleys sermon is inconsistent with his introduction. THE PROPHECIES OF THE MESSIAHS BIRTH ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE STORYLINE THAT CANNOT BE SET ASIDE. Additionally, Stanley asserts that the Jews of that era would not have been looking for a baby born in a manger as their Messiah. While that is likely true, it is not because the Scriptures dont indicate such. As he downplays the prophecies in the Old Testament, He reads portions of the birth narrative in Matthew. For some reason, he skips over Matthew 1:23, which includes the prophecy of the virgin birth of Immanuel from Isaiah 7:14. Although many had missed it, the virgin birth is indeed prophesied as part of the Fathers plan to send the Son into the world as Savior. The prophecies of the Messiahs birth are an important part of the storyline that cannot be set aside. Christianity is a religion grounded in history and in the truth of Gods Word. How and why Jesus came as the virgin-conceived babe in the manger matters. Although the Christmas season is over, take time to reflect on what Jesus birth means to you for now and eternity. 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Bradley F. Lunsford says: August 30, 2016 at 1:59 pm I know what happened to the Chernobyl cloud. I saw it pass over Whitmore, California (the other Soviet Union) in 90. I was 9 years old. I think you would be referring to a sign, not exactly a trumpet. Excellent essay by the way. Truly very good. Nowadays were talking trumpets, maybe. Theres some hope today. Hope for today. What really did happen in the Spring of 2011. I believe it stopped overhead where I lived at the time and was dissipated there ( 89- 90. I remember one day in particular when the sky and surroundings seemed to turn golden. I thought to myself and heard in inward voice say that Jesus would be returning soon. I believed. Strangely enough a horrid wart appeared on my head near the same time. I still believe Jesus is returning soon and am only 34 years old, even though I feel like 95 years of age and have since that time. Dr. David Reagan, Dr. Carl Baugh, Dr. Kent Hovind and Dr. Beth Shook see if you can find any information on what happened to the so-called dust cloud of Chernobyl. I think it had to be funneled or something. I dont know. I dont think it just went away by itself. You guys would have better guesses and conclusions. Maybe it is all wrapped up in the Seventh Sign movie, who knows? I know one thing. Anyone who repeats bloody Mary often enough-well the wall will cave in. The Virgin Birth is is real. In other words, atheists (its not Dr. Dave Friend or I) will find the walls caving in on them in the end times. No, I am a devout believer-pure gold through Jesus. Amen. With Love, Brad F. Lunsford (the Clause) P.S. the anti-Christ is Anatoly Karpov. He probably accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior years ago now and Satan is currently animating an old carcass. Karpov how is the weather in paradise! I iron curtain came down to one head plus a few other ones. Sometimes you just have to burn through the iron curtain, but be sure to share the gospel while doing so. To be fair. You dont kind of deal with the World. You got a hell of a deal World. I hope you know that. You will on the other side. See there, hopefully. I have to go. The sun (Christ Jesus is smiling on my today as he is everyday). Are that kind of believer-National Israel and National Russia. I hope so its going to get rocky for the unbelievers at the End of Time, as we know it. Can I stop qualifying all these statements. The Great Tribulation is aimed at National Israel and Russia towards the end. Know that. You brood of vipers. No, California now represents China-look up Asian Revolt against the anti-Christ and his followers, which includes the false messiah-Benjamin Nutty Pot. End. https://www.endtime.com/endtime-magazine-articles/chernobyl-third-trumpet- revelation/
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