A Congregation at Prayer ~ The Second Article of the Apostles' Creed

CATECHESIS NOTES FOR THE SECOND ARTICLE OF THE APOSTLES' CREED -- The Virgin-born Son -- The prophet Isaiah foretold the virgin birth of Christ approximately 700 years before He was born.  The virgin birth is, by definition, a miraculous event and indicates that the Son born to the virgin is of divine origin and without sin.  The prophet confesses this by foretelling that the Christ shall be called by the name “Immanuel” which means, “God with us.”  Isaiah expands upon the promise of the “Seed of the Woman” (Genesis 3:15), the first prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ.  Isaiah’s prophecy is quoted and interpreted by the angel in Joseph’s dream (Matthew 1:23). It is also the prophetic backdrop of the account of the Annunciation of our Lord (Luke 1:26-38). The Gospel of Luke makes clear that Isaiah’s prophecy came true.  The evangelist specifically refers to Mary as a virgin.  Mary confesses that she is a virgin who has not known a man.  The Angel Gabriel specifically states that her conception and birth will be of divine origin by the Holy Spirit: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God…. For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:35, 37). This passage teaches the two natures of Christ, as the Catechism states: “true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary.” (Excerpt from Lutheran Catechesis, Catechist Edition, p. 94a)

A Congregation at Prayer – November 10-16, 2015 – The Second Article of the Apostles' Creed
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