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NASB | Matthew 1:25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 1:25 but he kept her a virgin until she had given birth to a Son [her firstborn child]; and he named Him Jesus (The LORD is salvation). |
Subject: Was Mary a virgin her whole life |
Bible Note: Part V MARY -- HONOR OR ADORATION? 'Seven Steps to Deity 'Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces 'Steps four and five in Roman Catholic teaching which suggest her possible deity are Mary’s inclusion as a partner in the atonement and mediatorial office of Christ. These teachings have received much publicity, and Mary is known as Co-redemptrix of the Universe and Mediatrix of All Graces. These dogmas maintain that Mary works with Christ for mass salvation by virtue of the fact that she bore Him for the salvation of mankind. This view is ably set forth in the Catholic book, The Five Encyclicals, in the section headed “Mary, Mediatrix,” which carries the approval of Bishop Boylan of Paterson, New Jersey. The phrase “to Jesus through Mary” also appears many times in Catholic publications, and Catholics are frequently urged to “go through Mary” to get to Christ. '“As Mediator, Jesus Christ has a three-fold office: He is King, Teacher, and Priest. Mary as Mediatrix shares in this threefold office. She is Queen, teacher, and sanctifier. She rules over us, teaches us and sanctifies us. Next to Christ, she is the foundation of our faith” (The Five Encyclicals). 'St. Paul reminds us that we are “... built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets . . . Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). The Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed the “Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). He alone is Redeemer. Nothing is anywhere taught in the New Testament to vaguely suggest that Mary or anyone else has a role in this. In the first chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews the writer tell us that Christ “by himself” purged us of our sins; and “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (v. 3). If the Lord Jesus accomplished this by Himself, as the inspired writer said, that is sufficient to rule out any role of the Virgin Mary. 'Mary is often described as not only Co-redemptrix but Mediatrix of all Graces. This places her on an equal plane with Christ, so that although the Bible declares Him to be the only Mediator (I Timothy 2:5), Catholic teaching still affirms that Mary is Mediatrix.' (To be continued) (STATEMENT DM160 Charismatics and the Cult of Mary by Walter Martin) (www.equip.org) |