| 1 | Genesis: The Greek is GENESIS and may be rendered “birth.” |
| 2 | Jesus Christ: The first occurrence of this form: the title or designation combined with the name of our Lord. This form occurs 150 times in the Christian Bible, the most often in the Letter to the Romans. The phrase means “Jesus the christened one; or Jesus the Messiah; Jesus the Anointed.” |
| 3 | Promised in marriage: Or, KJV: espoused; TCNT: engaged. |
| 4 | Came together: Inferring sexual intercourse. TCNT: while she was still a virgin; WEY: before they were united in marriage. |
| 5 | Pregnant: The Greek GASTRI and means literally “found in belly” as it is in many languages. Or, KJV: with child; GDSP: about to become a mother. |
| 6 | Holy Pneuma: Or, holy spirit. This is the first occurrence of the phrase referring to the Mental or Intellectual Power of the Absolute God. That is, the invisible force or pressure by which the Creator accomplishes his will and purpose. We will use pneuma throughout as the word “spirit” in English has taken on something of the meaning of “ghost” or a spirit being. The complete phrase “holy pneuma” occurs 100 times in the Bible with the first occurrence at Psalm 51:11. It only occurs three times in the Hebrew Bible. It is most often used in the Acts of the Apostles. For details on this subject see the publication De Trinitatis Erroribus. The word “spirit” occurs 820 times in the Bible with the first occurrence at Genesis 1:2. “Spirit” is used most often in the Book of Acts. The Hebrew is ruach and is variously rendered breath and wind. |
Today we begin to examine the Gospel of Matthew chapter by chapter. We choose Matthew 1:18 as the theme verse of chapter one: The Genesis of Jesus Christ. Matthew begins with the genealogical record of Jesus Christ. [1-17] The details of the virgin birth of Jesus of Nazareth are recorded by Matthew. [18-25] Matthew applies Isaiah 7:14 to the miraculous nature of Christ’s birth.
Abba our Father bless those who believe in the virgin birth.
