Tuesday, 11^th March 2025

Andrews Ampomah 

TOPIC: CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Do you believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit?
2. What does it mean for Jesus to be “Truly man and Truly God”?

At the heart of Christianity lies a foundational truth: Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20,  Luke 1:35). Though central to the faith, this doctrine has faced numerous disputes and challenges throughout history, including from early heresies like Gnosticism and Docetism in the 1st and 2nd centuries. Gnosticism denied that a holy God could take on human flesh, viewing the material world as corrupt (1 John 4:2-3), while Docetism claimed Jesus only appeared to have a physical body. However, Scripture affirms both His divinity and humanity, declaring that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). To deny this truth is to reject that Jesus is truly God and truly human, an essential belief for our salvation (Colossians 2:9,  Hebrews 2:14-17).

In our focus text, Isaiah, inspired by the Spirit of prophecy between some 7 to 8 centuries before its fulfillment,  gives us a sneak peek into how the Messiah would be born:”…a virgin shall conceive and bear a son…” (Isaiah 7:14) The natural means by which conception takes place is for a man’s sperm to fertilize an egg. That’s all humans have known since Adam. But for the conception of the Messiah, a virgin who has never had sexual intercourse would defy the natural order and conceive. This would only be made possible by a divine means – the Holy Spirit overshadowing the virgin.

To be conceived by divine means and not through human is to not inherit Adam’s sinful nature (Romans 5:12), making Him the spotless Lamb who could atone for the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 This supernatural event was necessary for Christ to be the perfect mediator between God and humanity. Through His divine nature, He reveals the fullness of God, and through His human nature, He identifies with our struggles (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit is not just a theological concept but a crucial aspect of our faith- without it, the entire foundation for salvation collapses.

Dearly beloved in Christ, as we reflect on this crucial doctrine during the Lenten season, we must recognize that our redemption from satan’s kingdom would not have been possible without a perfect sacrifice.

 It was necessary for the sacrificial Lamb to be holy and spotless to fulfill all the righteous requirements of the law. This was made possible because of the divine nature of Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit. To be saved by grace and not of works is for the spotless and pure Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, to fulfil all the conditions required by God for that redemption, Hallelujah!

FURTHER READING – Isaiah 7

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Do you fully rely on God's power and grace for your salvation?

 PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for making it miraculous possible to conceive Jesus by the Holy Spirit so His purity fulfills all the righteous requirements of the law. I am happy that I am born of the Spirit and not of any corruptible seed. Help me to be holy in Christ Jesus, Amen.

 One-Year Bible Reading Plan

John 1; Numbers 7; Psalm 70