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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 I MARY--HONOR OR ADORATION? 'It is unfortunately true that in many Protestant circles, largely in reaction to Catholic over-emphasis on the role of the Virgin Mary, that many Protestants have failed to grasp the Bible portrait of our Lord’s mother.' Part I 'This has led to the neglect of Mary as an example in Scripture, and to many Protestants forgetting that she was the greatest woman that ever lived because she was chosen to be the mother of the Saviour of the world. It is necessary that we respect the person of the Virgin Mary, that we love her memory as a sister in Christ, and acknowledge her devotion to the Word of God and the teacher of her Son. But to honor the person of Mary for her genuine accomplishments and character, is quite a different thing from the adoration of Mary and the concept that in order to have “the full gospel of Jesus Christ” one must adopt the Roman Catholic view of the role of the Virgin Mary. Catholic and Protestant Charismatics may agree to disagree about Mary’s role but neither can afford to ignore Holy Scripture which alone defines that role. The fullness of the gospel does not involve Mary at all but instead the recognition that redemption is by grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ of whom the Virgin Mary said, “Whatever He says to you, do it (John 2:5). (...) 'It is essential that we understand, therefore, the historic Catholic view of Mary and contrast it with Biblical passages bearing on this important subject. Only by this method will we be able to ascertain whether or not the Roman Catholic view of Mary is consistent with Biblical theology, a factor which bears heavily on the concerns of the Charismatics. 'In his celebration of the Marian Year in Rome in 1950, Pope Pius XII accurately reflected the Church’s view of the Virgin Mary in his pontifical prayer. (...) 'This prayer is particularly interesting when contrasted with the teaching of the man Catholics believe to be the first Pope, Peter. In his first epistle, the Apostle wrote that we are to “cast all our care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). The substitution of Mary for Christ in the prayer of Pope Pius XII, is sobering along with the other assertions that Mary is “a fountain of faith” and Conqueress of evil and death.” In 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed infallibly that the Virgin Mary’s body had been assumed into heaven without her having to pass through death, something her Son was denied. (...) 'A well-known Roman Catholic prayer substantiates the view of the Pope when it affirms that Mary is “Our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” A direct violation of the Biblical revelation that Jesus Christ is our life and our hope. Another very popular prayer among Catholics is the “Hail Mary.” In that prayer Mary is designated as “Holy Mary, Mother of God.” Thus, bestowing upon her a most exalted title. It is reasoned in Catholic theology that Jesus is God and Mary is His mother: therefore Mary is the Mother of God. This reasoning, however, is illogical and ignores the triune nature of God. Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Using the reasoning of Catholic theologians as evidenced in this prayer, God is a trinity. Mary is the Mother of God, therefore Mary is the Mother of the Trinity. This of course will be immediately denied, but it is perfectly logical, following from their own definitions. 'The term, “ Mother of God”, was not introduced to the Christian community until the Fourth Century, and even later Catholic theology bestowed upon her the title, “Queen, teacher, and sanctifier.” Both Catholic and Protestant Charismatics, however, are well aware of the fact that the Word of God sanctifies us (John 17:17 and 1 Tim. 4:5). The role of the Holy Spirit is specifically to sanctify us, to be the One who walks beside us. In the words of the Lord Jesus, “When He comes He will lead you into all truth.” In its official literature, the Roman Catholic Church has widely circulated the idea that because Mary is related to Christ, after the flesh, she therefore has some special intercessory power with Him. This idea however is at direct variance with the very words of the Lord Himself, “Whoever hears my Word and obeys it is the same to me as my mother, my brother or my sister” (Matt. 12:46-50). Since the genuine Charismatic is one who is in subjection to the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit, this creates enormous problems especially when the Mary of Roman Catholicism looms large on the stage of Christian fellowship." (To be continued) (STATEMENT DM160 Charismatics and the Cult of Mary by Walter Martin) (www.equip.org) |