Heidelberg Catechism: What is the meaning of, “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary?”
LORD’S DAY 14
35. What is the meaning of, “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary?”That the eternal Son of God, who is and continues true and eternal God,1 took upon Himself the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,2 by the work of the Holy Spirit;3 so that He also might be the true seed of David,4 like His brothers in all things,5 sin excepted.6
1 Jn 1:1, 10:30-36; Rom 1:3, 9:5; Col 1:15-17; 1 Jn 5:20; 2 Mt 1:18-23; Jn 1:1-4; Gal 4:4; Heb 2:14; 3 Lk 1:35; 4 2 Sam 7:12-16; Ps 132:11; Mt 1:1; Lk 1:32; Rom 1:3; 5 Php 2:7; Heb 2:17; 6 Heb 4:15, 7:26-27
36. What benefit do you receive from the holy conception and birth of Christ?
That He is our Mediator,1 and with His innocence and perfect holiness2 covers, in the sight of God, my sin, in which I was conceived.
1 1 Tim 2:5-6; Heb 9:13-15; 2 Rom 8:3-4; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 4:4-5; 1 Pt 1:18-19
