Don Stewart :: How Could a Virgin Birth Be Possible?

How Could a Virgin Birth Be Possible? (The Generation of Christ)

What Everyone Needs to Know about Jesus – Question 33

Granting that the Scriptures teach the virgin birth, or the virgin conception of Jesus Christ, the question always comes up as to how such an event could be possible. How could a virgin conceive a child in the first century A.D.? From the Bible we can make the following observations.

1. The Details of Jesus’ Conception Are Not Stated

It must be stated that the intricate details of how God worked within the body of Mary are not given to us. What is revealed is that the virgin birth of virgin conception was a supernatural act of God. The Bible says,

Mary asked the angel, “But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” ( Luke 1:34, 35 NLT)

Beyond this, the Scripture is silent. Consequently, we too should be silent.

2. Mary Is Passive in the Matter

We learn something else. Mary was entirely passive in the matter of the virgin birth. The Bible says that Mary did not cooperate in any way in the process that brought about Jesus Christ into our world. She merely obeyed the angel Gabriel who told her what was going to occur. It was entirely a supernatural work of God.

3. Nothing Is Impossible with God

The angel Gabriel when he made the announcement of the conception of Jesus, told Mary that nothing is impossible with God. He said,

For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37 KJV)

Therefore, we should not concern ourselves about how God accomplished this miracle. God can do anything that He so desires.

4. It Was a Supernatural Act

One of the reasons the people deny the virgin birth of Jesus is because of its supernatural character. The Scripture, however, makes no apology for teaching the virgin birth. It is a miracle. But it is no more or less miraculous than other events the Bible records.

Therefore, it is inconsistent to accept some of the miracles recorded in Scripture and yet deny others. If one grants the possibility of God performing miracles, then why, it may be asked, is the virgin birth so remarkable?

5. God Has the Power to Do What He Wishes

The God of the Bible has the ability, or the power, to do whatever He so wishes to do. For example, if one can accept at face value the statement of Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” it is inconsistent to question His ability to perform any other miracle.

Indeed, if God can speak the entire universe into existence, He certainly possesses the power to allow a virgin to conceive a child. The God of the Bible has told humankind that He has that power. We read His words,

See, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27 NRSV)

Consequently the virgin conception of Jesus Christ is not beyond His power.

Therefore, the idea of God the Father bringing His Son into this world by means of a virgin conception is not an impossible feat nor is it irrational to believe this is what took place; certainly not when we understand the power that the God of Scripture possesses.

Summary – Question 33
How Could a Virgin Birth Be Possible? (The Generation of Christ)

Often it is asked how such a miracle as the virgin conception of Jesus Christ could be possible. Certain things need to be said to answer this question.

First, it must be recognized that the virgin birth of Christ is indeed a miracle. The Bible, however, does not tell us how it occurred, it merely states the fact that it did occur. Therefore, it is really worthless for us to speculate as to how it took place.

We do know that God worked a miracle in the body of Mary while she was entirely passive in the matter. In other words, she had absolutely nothing to do with the process. She merely accepted the fact that this is what was going to happen.

There is something we always need to remember in answering this question. To create a Child from a virgin is not impossible with the God of the Bible. Indeed, He can do anything that He pleases.

Something else must be appreciated. The virgin conception of Christ should not be regarded as any more spectacular than other miracles in which the Bible records. It is a miracle but it should not be considered any more or less miraculous than Jesus walking upon water or feeding the five thousand with a few loaves and fish.

In addition, once the possibility is granted that God can do miracles, then the virgin birth of Christ must be decided upon the evidence.

Consequently, the doctrine of the virgin conception of Jesus Christ is consistent with what we know of the power of God. It is not irrational to believe in this miracle.