Why the virgin birth is imperative to Christianity

Christians are subject to persecution all over the world, some countries worse than others. As in America and other Western countries; persecution of Christians in Britain is minimal, however definitely present. Rather than physical trials, persecution in the West has begun on the platform of freedom of speech. The call for equality and promotion of minority groups has seen Christians silenced in recent years. Many Christians are arrested for preaching the gospel in Britain and prevented from manifesting their faith. Although there is often outcry in the media at the systematic removal of religion from the public sphere, it continues to get worse.

It is because of this current climate of hostility towards Christianity that we must be firm in what we believe. There is a tendency to class certain parts of the Bible as ‘not important’ and other parts as ‘important’. For example, the fact that Jesus died for our sins is ‘important’ to what we believe, however it does not matter if we disagree on trivial matters such as the virgin birth or creation. This notion is completely incorrect. The Bible is the word of God. It is ALL inspired by the Holy Spirit. Who are we to hold certain parts in high esteem compared to others? The Bible is such a blessing from God to us; remember even the great Biblical characters we have come to know where not blessed with a canonised book of Scripture. The Bible is a history book, a book of guidance, a book of wisdom, a life-giving book, a book of prophesy and the book containing the message of salvation. Obviously Satan wants to destroy the book and all that it stands for. This destruction is evident today, through new and more liberal translations and through alterations such as the Watchtower Bible. Its destruction is also aided by liberal Christians who are willing to compromise on matters in order to be accepted by the world.

The matter of a virgin birth is one of these so called trivial matters. To some it may seem unimportant in comparison to other matters, such as Jesus being the Son of God or His crucifixion. However it is just as important. The virgin birth is a foundational matter, and without it everything else crumbles.

The virgin birth signifies perfection. Man is sin and we are born into sin, therefore it was not possible for Mary to have conceived through a natural man as this would mean that Jesus was born into sin. Jesus was separate from sin: Hebrews 7:^26 “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.”

 However, Hebrews tells us that Jesus was a man, susceptible to all the same weaknesses that we are, yet he remained perfect – this is what makes his sacrifice so sufficient. (Hebrews 4:^15 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”). (1 Peter 3:18 ^“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us^[a] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit”).

It was crucial that Jesus was born of a woman as He was a man, however not conceived through a natural man. Without the virgin birth, Jesus would be born into sin. If this happened then he would no longer be perfect and would no longer be sufficient as a sacrifice for our sins. The death on the cross would have been in vain.

Further, sin is death, Christ was able to rise after three days because He had no sin, therefore death could not have any affect on Him. If Jesus was not born of a virgin He could not rise again. Without the resurrection there is no salvation. (Romans 5: ^10 “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”). Without Salvation the whole of Christianity is destroyed.

From another level, Jesus fulfils every prophecy made about the coming Messiah in the OT. Through the fulfilment of these prophecies we can have confidence that both Jesus is the Son of God and that the Bible is the Word of God. If Jesus was not born of a virgin then there will be prophecies about the Messiah that He does not fulfil. This would therefore take away from the fact that He is the Son of God.

We must be vigilant in what we believe and what we stand up for. Don’t compromise your faith.

1 Peter 5: ^8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

-BACChristian