The Apostles' Creed: 12-Day Plan Sample

 Who Was Conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary

The next phrase in the Apostles’ Creed—“Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of the virgin Mary”—speaks of the role of the Holy Spirit bringing the Son of God into the world. In the Old Testament the glory of the Lord was seen as a cloud that rested on the tabernacle, the portable temple of God’s people, the place where they worshiped God. In Ezekiel 10 the prophet Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord, the shekinah, leave the temple, but Ezekiel also had a vision of God’s glory returning to a new (43:1-5). At the birth of Christ, the glory of God came and dwelt among us.

The Bible says the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary to enable her to conceive a son. Luke connected the glory of God to the conception of Jesus. His overwhelmingly glorious presence in the tabernacle and the temple now manifested itself through Mary as she conceived, carried, and gave birth to her firstborn child, the only Son of God.

The Scriptures are full of miraculous births of people meant for specific purposes: Sarah and Abraham had Isaac, the promised child and head of God’s covenant people (see Gen. 18:9-14); Jacob and Rachel had Joseph, Manoah and his wife had Samson, Elkanah and Hannah had Samuel, and Zechariah and Elizabeth had John the Baptist. In each of these cases, the Lord opened barren wombs and provided a child when none seemed possible—although the woman conceived with her husband. In each case the unexpected birth was foretold. The birth of Jesus is even most incredible birth ever recorded. 

Popular culture often looks down on ideas and events that seem as irrational and unbelievable as the virgin birth. Some say science and culture have progressed to a point that we can leave supernatural beliefs behind in favor of what can be proved, observed, and repeated. However, the Bible is full of miraculous accounts. 

Ultimately, as a Christian, you must decide whether you believe in an almighty God who has authority and power over all creation. If the God of the Bible exists, miracles are simply part of the deal; that’s just part of how an almighty Creator works. It’s quite logical to conclude that a supernatural God works in supernatural ways. It’s His nature.

Belief in the virgin birth is essential in shaping the Christian life. It testifies to the nature of Jesus as both God and man, as well as to the fact that we have an all-powerful Father who interacts with His creation to make Himself known. Many, if not most, difficulties with or objections to believing in God are more about ourselves and our circumstances than they are about God. The virgin birth is a miraculous act from a miraculous God.