If Jesus from Nazareth was born out of wedlock he cannot be who he claimed he was.
One of the biggest questions concerning Jesus from Nazareth is the nature of his birth. The Gospel writers contend he was born supernaturally—of a virgin. Some today feel he was simply illegitimate.
Jesus claimed to be God. He also claimed perfection. But if the supernatural details connected with his birth are not true, we can only be skeptical concerning his other claims. It is therefore important to know what really happened at the beginning of his life. Was Jesus virgin-born or was he illegitimate?
The Chronology of Jesus' Birth
An angel appeared to a young, unmarried woman in the Galilean city of Nazareth. She was a virgin named Mary who was engaged to a man named Joseph.
"Hail, favored one," said the angel. "The Lord is with you." Mary was startled not so much by the angel's presence, but by his greeting.
"Don't be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son whom you shall name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of is father David, and he will reign forever."
"How can this happen, since I don't know any man physically?" Mary questioned.
Jesus claimed to be God. He also claimed perfection. But if the supernatural details connected with his birth are not true, we can only be skeptical concerning his other claims. It is therefore important to know what really happened at the beginning of his life. Was Jesus virgin-born or was he illegitimate?
The Chronology of Jesus' Birth
An angel appeared to a young, unmarried woman in the Galilean city of Nazareth. She was a virgin named Mary who was engaged to a man named Joseph.
"Hail, favored one," said the angel. "The Lord is with you." Mary was startled not so much by the angel's presence, but by his greeting.
"Don't be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son whom you shall name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of is father David, and he will reign forever."
"How can this happen, since I don't know any man physically?" Mary questioned.
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. For this reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. With God, nothing is impossible."
"I am a slave of the Lord," Mary responded graciously. "Let it happen to me as you have said." At this statement, the angel departed.
A few days after the angel's appearance, Mary left Nazareth and traveled to see Elizabeth who was a relative living in Judea and whose husband Zacharias was a priest. When she entered their house, Elizabeth was suddenly filled with the Spirit of God.
"I am a slave of the Lord," Mary responded graciously. "Let it happen to me as you have said." At this statement, the angel departed.
A few days after the angel's appearance, Mary left Nazareth and traveled to see Elizabeth who was a relative living in Judea and whose husband Zacharias was a priest. When she entered their house, Elizabeth was suddenly filled with the Spirit of God.
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