BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE
Text: Matthew 1:18-25; Isaiah 7:14
6 November 2011
(I) PROPHECY OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST
1. Prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14
2. Prophecy of the Virgin Birth as a special sign from God
3. Prophecy of the Birth of the Messiah
(II) SOME OBJECTIONS TO THIS PROPHECY
1. On so-called grammatical grounds
a) That the word “virgin” should be translated “young woman”
b) That the word “virgin” came about because of the Greek translation of the Hebrew text
2. On so-called historical-theological grounds
a) That this doctrine was of late origin
b) That Matthew’s account cannot be trusted because he was only a redactor
3. On so-called scientific grounds
a) No such thing as a virgin birth
b) No such thing as a miracle
(III) AFFIRMATION OF BELIEF IN THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST
1. Linked with our belief in the Prophetic Word
2. Linked with a series of prophecies
a) Her seed ( Genesis 3:15 )
b) Seed of Abraham ( Galatians 3:16; Genesis 22:18 )
3. Linked with the Doctrine of God fulfilling His word
a) God is committed to fulfilling His word
b) God has fulfilled His word in Jesus being born of the virgin Mary
(IV) CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS- FULFILMENT OF THIS PROPHECY
1. Celebrating the miracle of the Virgin Birth
2. Celebrating the miracle of Prophecy
3. Celebrating the miracle of God fulfilling His word given to the prophets