The Apostles' Creed - Lesson 5: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the virgin Mary

The Apostles' Creed

Lesson 5: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the virgin Mary

I believe in God, the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord;

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

Born of the virgin Mary,

Suffered under Pontius Pilate,

Was crucified, dead and buried.

He descended into hell,

And on the third day he rose again;

He ascended into heaven,

Where he is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, Almighty,

Whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

The holy, catholic church,

The communion of saints,

The forgiveness of sins,

The resurrection of the body,

And the life everlasting.

Amen.

Matthew 1:21 She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel”; which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The purpose of this series of lessons is, using the Apostles' Creed, to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith and what it means to believe them. To state it simply, the goal is to teach what we believe and what it means to believe it.

The Apostles' Creed has three main sections. The second section concerns Jesus Christ, God's only son. In this lesson we will learn about the second part of this second section: “...Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the virgin Mary.”

Jesus is both God and man. He did not become God, but was always the son of God. At the proper time, God sent his son to be born of a woman (Galatians 4:4). Jesus did not have an earthly father, but was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was born of Mary, a virgin. Both the circumstances of his birth (ie. born of a virgin, born in Bethlehem, etc.) and his being both God and man fulfilled the words of the prophets who came long before Jesus and told of his coming.

Jesus is the savior. Why did Jesus come? Why did the son of God become a man on earth? The prophets, the angels, Jesus himself and the apostles all tell us that Jesus came to save us. He came to save us from our sins. This is, to some, wonderful news. To others, it is a stumbling block. To those who want to be set free from their sins, to serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness (Luke 1:74-75), Jesus and his salvation from sins is THE good news (the gospel). To those who love theirs sins and only want to be saved from the consequences of their sins, Jesus and his salvation is a stumbling block and an offensive thing. Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:31-32).

Jesus came in humility. How did Jesus come? He was not born into a wealthy family, or into a powerful family, or even into a powerful nation. The son of God emptied himself and became a man. He began life as a baby, a weak and helpless baby. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Jesus did not live for himself, but he always obeyed the Father, even when obeying led to death on a cross. The son of God came in humility to serve and has called his followers to imitate him (Philippians 2:5-8).

What does it mean to believe this? It is one thing to believe a baby was born. Babies are born every day. It is another thing to believe that the son of God became a man, born as a baby into lowly circumstances, as the savior of men, come to save us from our sins. What does it mean to believe this? If we believe this we will humble ourselves before God and men, not seeking our own glory, but God's glory. We will follow Jesus, because we believe that obeying him is the path of freedom from our sins to eternal salvation.

Note: Since at least the time of the apostles, false teachers have come. Many of these teachers have denied who Jesus is. Some claimed he was not God. Others claimed he was not a man, but only appeared to be a human being (ie. he was a ghost or spirit that looked like a real physical person). These false teachings are still taught and believed today. Such teachings are really an attempt to justify disobedience to the one whom God has sent to be the savior of the world.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Remind the children that we are using the Apostles' Creed to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith, that is, what we believe and what it means to believe it. Read through the Apostles' Creed with the children.

For the purpose of these lessons, we have broken the creed into twelve parts. Let the children know that today we will talk about the third part: ...Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the virgin Mary.

Read through the story of the birth of Jesus. Begin with Luke 1:26-38, which is the account of the angel sent from God to Mary. Before the story, you can ask the children to pay attention to what the angel says about the baby that will be born. They can give the answers to this question after hearing it.

Then read through Matthew 1:18-25, the account of the angel appearing to Joseph in a dream. Again the children can listen for and then answer what the angel tells Joseph about the baby Mary is carrying. In this story in Matthew, the angel tells Joseph why Jesus has come (see verse 21). Talk with the children briefly about what it means to be set free from our sins, both through forgiveness, and also through deliverance from the power of sin, so that we no longer live for ourselves (in sin), but now live for Jesus.

Finally, read through Luke 2:1-21. Again the children can listen for and then answer what the angel tells the shepherds about the baby that was born. It is likely that most of the children are familiar with this story. They may enjoy telling the story to you, with a little help now and then on the details. During this story, you can point out the humble circumstances surrounding the birth of the son of God. You can also ask the children, how do you know that the shepherds believed the good news announced by the angel to them?

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Luke 1:26-38 [26] Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. [28] Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” [29] But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. [30] The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.” [34] Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?” [35] The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. [36] Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. [37] For everything spoken by God is possible.” [38] Mary said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word.” The angel departed from her.

Matthew 1:18-25 [18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this; for after his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. [19] Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. [20] But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. [21] She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.” [22] Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, [23] “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel”; which is, being interpreted, “God with us.” [24] Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; [25] and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.

Luke 2:1-21 [1] Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. [2] This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. [4] Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; [5] to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. [6] While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. [7] She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. [8] There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. [9] Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10] The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. [11] For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” [13] Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.” [15] When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said one to another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. [17] When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. [18] All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. [20] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them. [21] When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

More Stories and Examples:

Luke 2:22-39 [22] When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord [23] (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), [24] and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” [25] Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. [26] It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. [27] He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, [28] then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, [29] “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; [30] for my eyes have seen your salvation, [31] which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; [32] a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” [33] Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, [34] and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. [35] Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” [36] There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, [37] and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. [38] Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem. [39] When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

Matthew 2:1-23

This is the story of the Magi (wise men) coming to worship the one born king of the Jews.

Isaiah 7:1-15 [1] In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. [2] It was told the house of David, saying, “Syria is allied with Ephraim.” His heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind. [3] Then Yahweh said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you, and Shearjashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the fuller’s field. [4] Tell him, ‘Be careful, and keep calm. Don’t be afraid, neither let your heart be faint because of these two tails of smoking torches, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. [5] Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying, [6] “Let’s go up against Judah, and tear it apart, and let’s divide it among ourselves, and set up a king in its midst, even the son of Tabeel.” [7] This is what the Lord Yahweh says: “It shall not stand, neither shall it happen.” [8] For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within sixty-five years Ephraim shall be broken in pieces, so that it shall not be a people; [9] and the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.’” [10] Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz, saying, [11] “Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.” [12] But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh.” [13] He said, “Listen now, house of David. Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also? [14] Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. [15] He shall eat butter and honey when he knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

In this story, we read of the origin of the prophecy that the Christ would be born of a virgin.

Other Verses:

John 1:1-5,14 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. [14] The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary during the reign of Herod the Great. Yet, at the beginning of time, he already existed. He has no beginning and no end. He is the Word that was with God and is God. This Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Philippians 2:5-11 [5] Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus, the son of God, very God, emptied himself to become a man. As a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death. We are called to have this same mind, this same attitude, to think this way. That is, we are called humble ourselves in obedience under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt us at the proper time.

1 Timothy 3:16 Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

Hebrews 4:11-16 [11] Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. [12] For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [13] There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. [14] Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. [15] For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.

God has provided a great high priest for his people, a high priest who is both God and man. Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses, and can also deliver us from the power of sin in our lives. Let us hold fast to our confession and draw near for grace and help in time of need.

Hebrews 5:7-10 [7] He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, [8] though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. [9] Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, [10] named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

The son of God learned obedience in his suffering as a man. Through this he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him. So let us obey the one who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

1 John 1:1-4 [1] That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life [2] (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us); [3] that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. [4] And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.

1 John 3:5 You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin.

The angel told Joseph (Matthew 1:21), “You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.” The apostle John tells us again that he was revealed to take away our sins. This is truly good news. It is also a (or perhaps the) reason that many will not come to him that they may be saved. We love our sins. Until we are willing to repent of (turn from) our sins, and desire to be set free not just from unpleasant consequences, but from the very sins themselves, we will not find true and lasting joy in the Jesus, the one sent to save us from our sins. Each one of us must ask himself, do I really want to be saved from my sins?

CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Isaiah 9:6-7 [6] For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.

Matthew 26:63-64 [63] But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” [64] Jesus said to him, “You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

John 1:29-34 [29] The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! [30] This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.’ [31] I didn’t know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel.” [32] John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him. [33] I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ [34] I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

John 3:16-18 [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [17] For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. [18] He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

John 20:30-31 [30] Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; [31] but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

1 John 2:22-23 [22] Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. [23] Whoever denies the Son, the same doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.

1 John 5:1-13 [1] Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him. [2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. [3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous. [4] For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. [5] Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? [6] This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. [7] For there are three who testify: [8] the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three agree as one. [9] If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified concerning his Son. [10] He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who doesn’t believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. [11] The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life. [13] These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY

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

Hebrews 4:15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.

1 John 4:1-4 [1] Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, [3] and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. [4] You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist.

BETHLEHAM

John 7:40-43 [40] Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, “This is truly the prophet.” [41] Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “What, does the Christ come out of Galilee? [42] Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” [43] So there arose a division in the multitude because of him.

Micah 5:2-5 [2] But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times. [3] Therefore he will abandon them until the time that she who is in labor gives birth. Then the rest of his brothers will return to the children of Israel. [4] He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God: and they will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth. [5] He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land, and when he marches through our fortresses, then we will raise against him seven shepherds, and eight leaders of men.