The Apostles’ Creed: He was Conceived by the Holy Spirit

WEEK 2, DAY 3: He was Conceived by the Holy Spirit

Another core teaching of the Bible is that of the trinity – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Interestingly, the Scriptures never use the term trinity. Each ‘person’ in the Godhead is mentioned at different times and in different ways. And there are other moments, such as Jesus’ baptism, in which all three are present. 

Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit is yet another core teaching of the Christian faith. Jesus’ mother, Mary, was a virgin. As a young woman — whom scholars would agree was likely between the ages of 12-14 years old — she had not yet slept with a man. Instead, an angel from heaven appeared to Mary to inform her she had conceived a child through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Being of Jewish faith, Mary would have had a lot of knowledge about the work of the Holy Spirit through the writings of the Old Testament. But to have an angel appear and tell her she was with child through the power of the Holy Spirit would have been a tremendous shock to her, her family, and the man to whom she was betrothed. Yet Mary responded by saying, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

READING & JOURNALING:

     LUKE 1:26-38

Why do you think Jesus being conceived by the Holy Spirit was made part of the Apostles’ Creed? 

What do you find most remarkable about Mary’s response to the angel in Luke 1:38? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today I recognize that the story of Jesus’ conception and birth may seem radical, yet the evidence of the Holy Spirit in my own life cannot be denied. Today, I commit to listening to Your voice so that I may better experience the life You have for me and live it to the full. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Psalm 1, Psalm 19

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.