BAPTISM

Baptism is a frequently mentioned subject in the New Testament. It's much more than just a religious ceremony. It is an outward visible act of the utmost importance for those who are serious about their relationship with God.

When reading the New Testament, we find that there are a few different types of baptism. The first occurrence is with John the Baptist and is called the baptism of repentance. This was replaced with baptism in the name of Jesus. The Bible also mentions a third baptism, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let's start with John, the Baptist.

John the Baptist
John was the last in the order of the Old Testament prophets, as declared by Jesus himself. He was the voice of one calling in the desert: "Prepare the way for the Lord!" His job was to prepare the people and to show them Jesus. The way he did this was through commanding the people to repent and be baptized. Before John's time, there was no such thing as baptism. The people must of thought: "Why, what is the meaning of this? We've never done this before!" It was a strange new custom for them.

John, the son of a Jewish priest, might of had in his mind the customs associated with entering the temple where God dwelled. The priests of those days, before they went to meet with God in the house of the Lord, ceremonially washed themselves by dipping their hands into a basin of water. This was a symbol of cleansing, not physically but spiritually before the Lord. Because of God's holiness and hatred for sin, it was necessary for the priests to be clean in order to meet with Him. Without cleansing, they could not approach the Lord. John was now taking this illustration of cleansing and applying it to all people. It was not only the priests that needed to get cleaned, but everyone, if they wanted to meet the Lord. John called this new ceremony the baptism of repentance.

He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. -- Luke 3:3 (Mark 1:4)

Before John would baptize them though, there was something that they needed to do first. Read the following verses.

confessing their sins they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. -- Mat 3:6

Why repentance? Why confession? Because our Lord is a Holy God, who demands us to be holy if we are to approach Him. To confess, in the Biblical context, is to say what we said, did or thought was wrong. To repent means to turn from our sin to God. It's a 180 degree turn of direction in life.

John baptized those that confessed their sins, as a sign to the community that they had repented. Some people however, came to John but were not repentant. Maybe they wanted to be baptized because others were being baptized. Maybe they though it was the spiritual, popularthing to do. He told them that they needed to do more then a religious act. When they asked what they should do, John gave them some specific examples.

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? -- Luke 3:7-14

John was in a sense saying: "It's not enough to confess your sins with your mouth, but you must prove it by your actions. The results must be a changed lifestyle". Repentance means action on our part. That is why he said:

produce fruit in keeping with repentance -- Mat 3:8

The main part of John's ministry though, was to point people to Jesus. John's ministry was only the beginning of a bigger plan. Jesus was coming! One day the Pharisees came to John and ...

questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" "I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! This is what I meant when I said, `A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." -- John 1:25-31

The Apostle Paul comments on this point:

Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is in Jesus” -- Acts 19:4

Unfortunately not everyone believed John and followed Jesus. Mainly, it was the very people who should have believed! The people who knew the most about God, the Pharisees (the leaders of religion), were completely blind to Him. These men and their associates were the experts, lawyers, judges, scholars and teachers of the Old Testament. No one was better qualified intellectually than them. The very God they taught about they didn't recognize; when Jesus came in the flesh and talked with them. Their God and religion looked totally different then the real thing.

But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. -- Luke 7:30

They were too concerned about themselves. Their pride and peoples opinions stopped them. Jesus challenged them and said:

John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' -- Mat 21:25 (Mark 11:30, Luke 20:4)

They were wrong in rejecting Jesus and John. Most of them even knew they were wrong! Still they would not humble themselves, confess their sins, and follow Jesus.

QUESTIONS

1. What was baptism a sign of?
2. What did John require before he would baptize a person?
3. What are the fruits of repentance?

The Baptism of Jesus
When Jesus was around thirty years old, the time had come for Him to begin His mission on earth.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" -- Mat 3:13-14

John was thinking: "Why should He be baptized? Baptism is for those who are confessing their sins and repenting. Jesus has no sin. Something here doesn't seem right!"

Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." -- Mat 3:15-17

John was right in the sense that Jesus didn't need to repent. But the Father had planned for His Son to identify with sinners in every way, while remaining sinless. The baptism of Jesus was a sign of obedience to his Father. It was also a confirmation about Jesus to everyone around, by the Father Himself, a commissioning for the beginning of His ministry and as an example for us to follow.

Not long after that, Jesus continued the ministry that John the Baptist started. His message was the same.

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." -- Mat 4:17b

His method was also the same as John's. He baptized those that responded to His message of repentance.

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, andbaptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. -- John 3:22-23

They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan--the one you testified about--well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." -- John 3:26

The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. -- John 4:2

The disciples were also doing what Jesus was doing; preaching repentance, baptizing, healing the sick and casting out demons! After Jesus' death and resurrection, the disciples knew the entire reason for His purpose on the earth. This reason Jesus called the "good news' or "the gospel". Listen to Jesus' commission to His disciples.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe is condemned -- Mark 16:15-16

From this statement we can notice a progression. First, someone must preach the Gospel. Second, the person must hear the Gospel. Thirdly, they must believe it. Fourthly, they are to be baptized. This entire process produces the result in that they "will be saved". One thing is clear. Jesus didn't say that those who are not baptized will be condemned, but rather those that have not believed! In other words, baptism doesn't save people, but faith and response to the Gospel does! Anyone who has taken the step of belief, who becomes a disciple, is under an obligation to take the next step - baptism. First we are to make disciples, next we are to baptize them. As Jesus commanded:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, -- Mat 28:19

Baptism though isn't the only command that a new believer is to obey. For Jesus also said:

and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. -- Mat 28:20a

QUESTIONS

1. Why was Jesus baptized?
2. What was Jesus' message and method?
3. Is baptism a command or an option for a new believer?

The History of Baptism in the first church
It was forty days after Jesus ascended into heaven, and the disciples were waiting and praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, during their meeting they are filled with Holy Spirit. No one needed to be told what to do next. They knew what they had to do, and the disciples didn't waste any time in fulfilling the commands of Jesus! His words to them were:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."-- Mat 28:19-20

Jesus sent the Twelve out to make disciples. They were to baptize those that wanted to follow Jesus, and teach them to obey everything Jesus had commanded; for Jesus wanted obedient disciples. So Peter preached a powerful message and explained the ministry of Jesus on the day of Pentecost. He told his listeners that they were responsible for Jesus' death. They were sinners who were not in a right relationship with God. The people listened and asked him:

"What should we do?" Peter replied, repent and be baptized, everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. -- Acts 2:38

Those who believed were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. -- Acts 2:41

Peter's first sermon covered all the elements of the Gospel. He convinced the crowd using many Scriptures, told them of their separation from God, their sinful state, the reason for Jesus' death, and most importantly the response that was necessary if they wanted to be saved. Notice that there were no exceptions. Peter said: "everyone one of you". Those who didn't

1) accept his message,
2) repent,
3) receive baptism,

were not added to their number.

On one occasion Peter was asked to preach the Good News to some God-fearing Gentiles. During his sermon the Holy Spirit came on them and they started speaking in tongues and praising God. This was the same thing that happened to Peter and the rest of them on the day of Pentecost. "Well if they are believers", Peter thought,

"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. -- Acts 10:47-48

They heard Peters message, accepted it, and before he had a chance to finish, they were immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. They could have thought: "Why do we need to be baptized? We're Christians now. The Holy Spirit has been poured out on us and we even speak in tongues!" You see, God doesn't make exceptions for obedience to His commands. He commanded new believers to be baptized, and they were. Read also two accounts of what happens with the Philip, the churches' first missionary.

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had believed the Word of God they sent Peter and John to them, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. -- Acts 8:12-16

We see some key elements in this story. The first is in believing the message. The second is accepting the commands. With acceptance comes obedience and submission to God's Word. The second story is of Philip as he preaches to Word of God to a high official of a foreign country.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" Philip said, if you believe you may." The official answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. -- Acts 8:36-38

A third man we notice in the New Testament is Saul, who before he became the Apostle Paul, persecuted Christians. Jesus personally pointed out his sins one day on his way to Damascus and Saul was left blind. A little later, the Lord sent a disciple to him, to explain a few things. Very quickly, Saul had a change of heart.

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, -- Acts 9:18 (Acts 22:16)

Although Paul's conversion was quite dramatic, it didn't exclude him from being baptized. There wasn't any exceptions, even for the Apostle Paul! The Lord changed Saul to Paul and used him mightily. He now preached the Gospel that he once opposed, and baptized those who responded. Our first account is about Paul's encounter with a business women. The Bible says she was a worshipper of God, but it wasn't enough. As Paul preached ...

The Lord opened her heart to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. -- Acts 16:14b-15

A few days later Paul and his friend Silas are put in prison and God sends an earthquake in response to their prayer and worship. Convinced of God's power, the jailer asks his two prisoners with the utmost respect:

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and all the others in the house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. -- Acts 16:30-33

Some think that the mention of the household or a whole family being baptized in these stories are evidence for the baptism of babies. I can say with certainty that there are no examples in the Bible where baptism came before believing.

Read Acts 16:33 again. Paul was saying: "You will be saved if you believe in the Lord Jesus. If people in your house also believe, they too will be saved". Paul preached to the jailer and to everyone else in the house. I don't think Paul preached to babies. They can't respond to a message. Instead, the family here refers to the jailers older sons or daughters who were able to respond to the Gospel, and most likely to the extended family members and servants too.

In each of the above cases of baptism there is a certain pattern.

1. Sinners are confronted with their sin. This was through the preaching the Gospel.
2. Sinners then; "opened their hearts, accepted the message or believed". In practical terms it meant they agreed that they were sinners and repented.
3. After their change of heart, they were then baptized.

This pattern is also seen, as the writer of Hebrews outlines the stages in a believer's life.

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instructions about baptisms the laying on of hands, resurrection from the dead, and the last judgment. -- Heb 6:1-2

We can break those stages down into the following parts:

Stage 1. Foundation of repentance - a person must confess their sins and acknowledge their separation from God. This is the very first step.

Stage 2. Faith in God- now that they know they are separated, they must believe in His plan of salvation, not their own plan.

Stage 3. Baptism the first step of obedience, in which they publicly declare their decision to follow Jesus.

Stage 4. Laying on of hands - the church then recognizes their decision, and publicly accepts them as a member of the family of God.

Stage 5. Resurrection from the dead- after their body dies, Jesus raises them to life everlasting. This is His recognition of their decision.

Stage 6. Final judgment - this is the Lord's acceptance of their belief by declaring them "not guilty - righteous" at the last judgment.

Of course, between stages four and five their should be many other things happening such as prayer, worship, Bible study, fellowship, witnessing, etc. These are all the things that are necessary for the growth of a new believer.

QUESTIONS

1. Can a baby meet the requirements of hearing the Gospel, confessing sin, repenting and believing in Jesus before baptism?
2. Can a baby then produce the fruits of repentance?
3. Is baby baptism a Biblical baptism?

Explaining difficult passages
There is a few verses about baptism that may not be clear without an full understanding of other passages in the Word of God. I'll briefly mention some common questions people associate with them.

1. Does baptism save people?

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.' -- Acts 22:16

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, -- 1 Pet 3:21

Water doesn't actually save us or get us spiritually clean, but it is a strong symbol. The water baptism is an outward sign of our conscience decision to repent of our sins and turn toward God. The saving and washing are the parts that God does, for we can't save ourselves or cleanse ourselves from sin.

2. What did Jesus mean in these verses?

"But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!" -- Luke 12:50

You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, -- Mark 10:38-39

Jesus, heavily burdened with the thoughts of His coming crucifixion uses the symbolism of baptism. He's not speaking of His water baptism, which happened three years earlier, but about his immediate suffering and death. Paul then explains that baptism is a form of death. Speaking
about water baptism he says:

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. -- Rom 6:3-4

having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the un-circumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, -- Col 2:12-13

Scripture here paints a vivid picture to illustrate a spiritual truth. Baptism is a re-enactment of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, being personally applied in our own lives. First we have to die, for only dead people should be buried! This death is to our old way of life. Being dead to sin. Next, going down into the waters of baptism is like being buried in a grave. A parallel to Jesus' burial. But Jesus didn't stay dead, He was also raised to life! When we are raised up out of the waters of baptism, we too are being raised up to a new life!

3. What is the correct form of baptism?

As we saw with the above verses, baptism is a re-enactment of a burial service. Although some churches sprinkle water and others pour it, Scripture illustrates going down into the water and coming up out of the water. The Greek word "baptizo" for baptism, means literally to dip, immerse or submerge. This is also confirmed with the following verses about baptism.

As Jesus was coming up out of the water... -- Mark 1:10a

both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, -- Acts 8:38b-39a

4. Is it important who baptizes me and where?

It isn't important where you are baptized or by whom, for it's not joining a church or following a person. A more important question is: "Why am I being baptized and for whom?"

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) -- 1 Cor 1:13-16

Being baptized into someone's name implies ownership and possession. Paul didn't want people to belong to him, but to Christ. It is in Jesus' name which we are baptized, because we become His possessions. We see this in 1 Corinthians 6:11, Matthew 28:19 as well as the verse
below.

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. -- Gal 3:27

Baptism is to be in Christ! Paul didn't die for sinners - Jesus did! When we cloth ourselves with Christ, it means that when people look at us, they should see Jesus. It is putting on the new nature of Christ.

5. What does it mean to be baptized into one body?

The body we become members of is not a physical church building or denomination with it's rules, traditions, and government. Instead we automatically become members of one another, with Jesus Christ as the head of this body.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. -- 1 Cor 12:13

Into one body means that we are all part of the same body. The sign that we are a part of the whole is His Holy Spirit. He is given to each and every one of us, when we join God's body. Although giving our life to Jesus brings about a personal intimacy with Him, we also become part of his corporate family. The order of events is not first baptism, and then later joining a church. Rather, they are the same events. Becoming a Christian is joining God's family, His body - the Church!

6. What does it mean to be baptized for the dead?

Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? -- 1 Cor 15:29

At first this may seem confusing, but Dr. Gleason Archer, a Biblical historian, explains it clearly.

"As older Christians fell terminally ill and it became apparent that their departure was near, they would summon their loved ones to their beside and urge those of them who were as yet unconverted to get right before God."²À„

Deeply moved, some would seriously consider their relationship with God and repent of their sins. The next step would be baptism. The Greek wording is `hyper ton nekron' and is intended to mean `for the sake of (the dead). In a very real sense, their turning to God and baptism is because of the departing one's plea for this friend or relative to become a Christian. The main point of this verse, and the whole chapter, is to show that there is a life after death. A view that was greatly disputed by the Sadducces.

7. What is baptism in the Holy Spirit?

I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' -- John 1:33

Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' -- Acts 11:16 (Acts 1:5)

A topic of much debate is the subject of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is not something that we do, like being baptized in water. Instead it is what Jesus does to us! The Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus from the Father, comes and lives inside a believer at the moment of repenting of sin and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord of your life. The Holy Spirit then teaches us, convicts us of sin, points us to Jesus, and empowers us for service.

There are two main views of the baptism of the Spirit. One is that it happens at the moment of conversion. The second is that it is a separate event, sometimes happening at the moment of conversion. Those that believe that it is a second event teach that at this time gifts for service are given and a special anointing from God occurs, while the former believe everything happens at conversion.

8. What does it mean that they were all baptized in the name of Moses, in the clod and in the sea?

Explaining the great deliverance of Israel from slavery, the Apostle Paul issues a stern warning against presumption. The Israelites all ate the same spiritual food, and drank the same spiritual drink. They had tasted the miracles of God. In a sense, they had been baptized, when they crossed through the Red Sea. But it goes on.

Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. -- Cor 10:5

We should not think that just because we've been baptized, that now we can do anything we want. Baptism is not a replacement for living a holy life and pleasing God, but the beginning of it.

QUESTIONS

1. Have I confessed and repented of my sins and turned in faith to Jesus?
2. Have I had a Biblical baptism, submitting myself to be baptized as an act of my own free will, confessing my sins and turning to God?
3. Is it important to me to follow Jesus' commands?

For those that would like to do a exhaustive study, there are a few more verses on baptism that I didn't include in this study. They are: Luke 7:29; John 10:40; Acts 1:22; 10:37; 18:8; 18:25; 19:5; 1 Cor 1:17; 10:2; Eph 4:5; Heb 6:2 1. Read the account also in Mark 1:7-11, Luke 3:16-22 and John 1:26-33.

All verses quoted are from the NIV version of the Bible

Mary the mother of Jesus

Mary the mother of Jesus

God I pray that you would reveal your truth to us, Lord I pray that you would remove all lies, every deception, every blindness, Lord that you would open our eyes, that you would give us the truth, Lord that you would put your truth into our hearts, that you would put your truth into our minds, Lord that the truth about Mary would be preached. I pray that Mary, the women you had chosen to bring forth the Jesus would be the correct picture of the person you'd chosen. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

Open up your Bibles to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verse 26 to 56. We are going to look at what the Bible has to say about the person of Mary, and so we will form a picture of who God shows Mary to be.

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you". Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greetings this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end". "How will this be", Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?". The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God". "I am the Lord's servant", Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said". Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers". Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home."

When God created the world His plan was that we would live in unity with Him. But we know that Adam and Eve chose to disobey. They chose to be disobedient and rebellious towards God and from that very day God was looking for a plan to bring unity between Him and His creation; to bring about someone who would save us from our sins. And we see that all throughout the Old Testament that God promises that he would send a saviour who would take our place for our punishment, that he would cleanse us from our sins, cleanse us from our unrighteousness, and would serve as a bridge or a mediator between God and man. And all throughout the Old Testament God promises that he would send this Saviour, a mediator, an intercessor, someone who completely understands God's point of view, but someone who will also understand completely our point of view. Someone who would feel everything that God feels and would feel everything that man feels. And God promised that He would send this person into the world and we know that this person that He sent was His son, Jesus Christ.

God had a plan that His son would be born in a human image and likeness. He would take on flesh and blood as we have flesh and blood. In order to do that He needed be born into this world. In the day when Mary and Joseph lived, God chose that time and that place to be born. If we look in the Old Testament there were certain conditions that need to be fulfilled: if Jesus was to be born who would be his parents? We know from the Old Testament, from Isaiah, that he would be born from a virgin, someone who had never had sexual relationships. We know that he was to be born a Jew, and we knew that he was to be born from the line of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Juda and the line of David. The person who was to be the mother would have to raise Jesus in the right way. I'm sure that God looked for just the right person to fill this role. The right person that would become the earthly mother of Jesus who would raise the young boy Jesus in the correct way, would teach him in the way of the Scriptures, would form a good family atmosphere. Such a person needed to be a God fearer. And I believe that in Palestine at this time, that there were maybe thousands of women who were Jews, who were from the line of David, who were still virgins. It was probably the desire of all the young girls at that time to be the mother of the Saviour, but only one could be his mother. God chose Mary. And I think that if we look at the life of Mary we can see why he chose her: because her life is a picture of humility, a life of submission to God, a life of devotion to the Lord. If you want to have a picture of who Mary is, than turn to the Old Testament, to the book of Proverbs chapter 31. And here is a description of the wife of noble character. Chapter 31, verse 10 states:

"A wife of noble character who can find? She's worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life. And then it talks about her work that she does at home: that she's a hard-worker, that she wakes up early in the morning, she takes care of the needs of her family, she takes care of the needs of the other people, she makes sure that nothing is lacking in their house. She's a prosperous woman, she makes clothes and she sells them. She helps the poor, she watches over the affairs of her house. Her husband is respected."

Verse 30 goes on: "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

I believe that Mary fit this description, that she was someone who loved the LORD with all of her heart, that she did good and not harm to her husband and her family. She had a noble character, she cared for others. And I believe that maybe we'd also find the description in Timothy and Titus about the wife of an elder or the wife of a deacon, and also you would find the description of, probably, who Mary looked like. You know, we as protestants want to somehow lower or remove Mary from our Bibles, because we've seen on the other side that catholics tend to lift up Mary into a place where she doesn't belong. And so on our side we have neglected or forgotten or tried to remove her. But I believe that of all the women in the Bible, that she was one of the most worthy of our respect. She is a good role model and an example for women. Let's go back to Luke, it says that the angel came to a virgin, to the virgin Mary, who was pledged to be married to Joseph. In this time they were not married yet, but they were treated like they were already in the marriage union. They were required to be faithful and that they would not be looking for another partner. So although that she was not married, at this point she was treated almost as a wife. An angel comes and appears to her. He says: "Greetings You who are highly favoured, the LORD is with you!"

Now think of it, angels don't appear every day. How many people have seen an angel lately? Have you seen an angel this week? Most likely not. So, it's not a regular, everyday occurrence. If an angel shows up he's here to tell us something important. He says: "You are favoured." What does this mean? What is "grace"? Grace is something that is undeserved, grace is something that you cannot work for. If I go to work and I work forty hours at work and I come to my boss, and he gives me an envelope with the money in it, is that grace? Or is this something that I have worked for and what I deserve? The Bible says that Mary found grace. In other words, she didn't deserve to be the mother of the Saviour, it wasn't because she was holy enough, it wasn't because she had prayed enough, it wasn't because that she was better than anyone else, but God's grace. It was something she didn't deserve, something she didn't work for. God had to choose somebody and she was one of the people that fit the prophecies at that time.

The Bible says that Mary was greatly troubled at his words. She was wondering what type of greeting this could be. Why was Mary troubled? What do you think? Angels do not appear every day, do they? If an angel showed up to you, you'd be wondering why he came. If an angel came to me, I'd be thinking what did I do wrong. It says: "She was afraid." The angel said: "Do not be afraid. You've found favour with God" in verse 30. "I'm not here to punish you. I'm here to bring a good message to you".

You see, I don't think that Mary knew that she was to be chosen as the mother of the Saviour. If she knew all along that she was gonna be the mother of our Saviour then when the angel came she would have said: "Oh, I know why you're here. I've been waiting for you". But she did not know why he was there. It wasn't because of her good works. And the angel says: Don't be afraid. Why? She was afraid. Almost every time that an angel appears in the Bible the first words were almost always Don't be afraid. Because man is afraid. Man is aware of his sins and his faults, his shortcomings. And angels always had to reassure that "I've come here not to punish you, but to bring a message from God".

Let's look further. His message: "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus. He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, His kingdom will never end."

Mary couldn't call this son whatever name she wanted. "I think I'll call him Richard". She had instructions: the baby's name was to be "Jesus". She was obedient and gave him the name Jesus. The prophecy was: "He will be great". It doesn't say that Mary will be great, but it says "Jesus will be great". It says: "And he will be called the Son of the Most High God". It doesn't say that "you will be called the Mother of God" or that "He will be called the Son of Mary". But He will be called the Son of the Most High God. It says: "The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David". It doesn't say that He will give Mary a throne, but it says that He will give Jesus a throne. There is nothing about Mary being great, there is nothing about Mary having a throne, nothing about her ruling over anyone, but the whole focus here is on Jesus and that's where the focus should remain!

Mary's response to the angel is interesting. Did she say: "Oh, of course, I'm gonna be the Mother of God. I knew this all along? She said: "How can this possibly be?" She didn't know anything. She didn't know God's plan. She says: I'm still a virgin. Everything that the angel said was fine but she had a problem - she wasn't married yet. She had never been with a man. And that's the reason why she was chosen. God wanted to perform a miracle. Here it's not a question of rebellion on her part but it's a question of: "I don't understand how this all will work". So the angel says: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you and so the Holy One born to you shall be called the Son of God". Who was responsible for Jesus birth? Was it Mary or was it God? Really, Mary was only a vessel, Mary was only a place where Jesus would be incarnated in the flesh by the Holy Spirit. It was an act of God, not an act of Mary.

God who existed through all eternity would lower Himself to become a human being, take the form of a little embryo and be implanted into Mary. He would lower Himself as much as He could lower Himself - to a small, tiny cell. From there He grew and He was born. Mary's response is a response of humility and a response of submission. She said: "I'm the Lord's servant. May it be done to me exactly to the way you have said". So we see that Mary is a person who wanted to be in the center of God's will. She's excited, she runs to see her cousin, Elizabeth, and verse 43 says: "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Child you'll bear".

The Bible here says Blessed are you among women. It doesn't say "Blessed are you above women" but "among women". It doesn't say that "you will be blessed by all people", it doesn't say that "people will come and bless you", but it's just a stated fact that "you are going to be a blessed person". What does the word "blessed" or "to bless" mean? It means to make happy. That's what "bless" means! If you're blessed you're a happy person, if you're cursed then you are a sad person. So to be blessed means to be happy. What would make Mary happy? The fact of being chosen, the fact of living with Jesus, the Son of God, for 30 years. If you were with Jesus for 30 years wouldn't you be blessed? If He lived in your apartment? You would be blessed! Let's say you have a two-room apartment - you're in one room and Jesus lives in the other room for 30 years. You would be blessed! "He chose to live with ME for 30 years!" Think of just her role in history, it is an example of humility and submission. All these things together would make Mary a happy person. We see that she is blessed.

People think that it's their job to bless Mary, that "I need to do something to bless Mary". To lift her up above other women. But God wants her not to be lifted up ABOVE other women. God says that she will be blessed AMONG. So God's place for her is not above us, but her place is with us. Do you understand? Her place is here, with us, on the ground, on earth. This is a typical blessing. Many people were blessed this way in the Old Testament. Verse 45 shows another reason why she was blessed: "Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said". You know what? When you believe the Word of God and you're obedient to the Word of God you're blessed. When you don't believe the Word of God, and if you're not obedient to the Word of God you don't have the blessings of God.

It says that Mary praised the Lord and we see in verse 46 to 56 that it's a whole song that Mary sings for God. Let's look particularly at verse 47. It says: "My spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour". I have a question. Who needs a Saviour? Sinful people. She said: "I rejoice in God, MY Saviour". If she recognized that God was her Saviour, she was admitting that she was a sinner. In this song of praise that she gives to God she recognizes that she is a weak, sinful human being that needs the grace of God. Somebody who needs to be saved. A saviour comes to save people. She needed a saviour, she needed to be saved. If she needed a saviour, then she wasn't a saviour. She was a servant who needed a saviour. Verse 48 and 49 state: "for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his name". For the third time we see the word blessed with the word Mary. In other words it says: "the whole world will recognize that she is a happy person, because she was chosen to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour". God did great things, He showed her grace.

Let's look further. Let's go to Matthew, chapter 1 and read verses 18 to 25. This is another account of the birth of Jesus.

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins". All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us". When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus".

One of the myths or one of the traditions that is associated with Mary is that she remains a virgin forever. Here we see in verse 25: "she had no union with her husband UNTIL she gave birth to Jesus". It would not say here "until" if the writers of the Scripture had in mind that she was to remain a virgin forever. If that were the case, it would have been written "but she had no union with her husband". Period. But it says "until" Jesus was born her husband did not have union with her. After Jesus' birth Joseph and Mary had a normal, sexual, marital relationship. Mary had other children. The Bible talks about them. The Bible mentions 4 brothers of Jesus and at least two sisters of Jesus.

Let's take a look that it was prophesied in the Old Testament that Jesus would have brothers and sisters in Psalm 69. This is a messianic song about Jesus. The whole thing is about Jesus. Verse 8 says: "I am a stranger to my brothers and an alien to my own mother's sons". Whose sons? His mother's sons. See, the reason why some people have turned Mary into a virgin forever is because they think that for her to later have sexual relationships would be to contaminate the place where Jesus had once dwelt. Some people think that her womb was a holy place, and in order for her to remain a holy person, she could not sleep with her husband. Does sexual relationships between a husband and wife somehow defile them?

Remember, Jesus humbled himself. Where was he born? Was he born in a holy place? Was he born in a clean temple? Or was he born in a stable, with the animals. Did he choose to be born to the queen of Israel or to a poor humble Jewish girl? Jesus humbled himself to become a little cell in Mary's body. Jesus wasn't so proud that he could not be lower Himself and become human. He was fully human and fully God. His divinity came from His Father - God, and his humanity came from Mary in order to be fully man. It wouldn't be normal for her to remain a virgin while being married. Do you think that the Jews of their day would allow that once they get married the wife on the wedding day says: "Listen, I've taken a vow of virginity for the rest of my life. Sorry". Is it possible that a wife can choose to do such a thing? Is it possible today to do such a thing? No! Only someone abnormal or mentally ill would say such a thing. So we see that this is a myth.

Let's read about Jesus' brothers in Luke chapter 2, verse 6 and 7: "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn". The Bible here says "firstborn". If there was a firstborn the logic demands that there is a second born. If you run in a race and you say that you came first, isn't it logical that there is a second and maybe a third runner or even more? You wouldn't say that you were the first if you were the only runner. You would say "I was the only runner". You wouldn't say "I was the first" but you would say "I was the only one that ran".

The Bible here says firstborn. "Prototokos" is the Greek word were here. It means "one of many", "the first of many". It also means "the first in an order of many". If Jesus was her only son, then the author would have used a different word, like the word in John 3:16. What's the word there? God so loved the world that He gave his FIRSTBORN son"??? NO! It says His "ONE AND ONLY son"!!! And so if Mary had only one son, it would have been a different word: "monogene" meaning only, unique.

Matthew 13, verses 55 and 56 state: "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" Read Mark 6:3 also: "Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him". Catholic theologians believe that these people: James, Joseph, Simon and Judas are either Jesus' cousins or they are sons from a previous marriage of Joseph or they are some other relatives. But the Bible uses the word "adelfos", which means "brother". It's never translated as "relative", "cousin" or "brother-in-law". Each one of these words is a different word in Greek. The same is true for the word "sister". They are all different words in Greek if it was a cousin or a sister-in-law. So four of his brothers are listed by name and we know that Jesus had at least two sisters, because it says aren't his sisters here? It doesn't say "and his sister" but "his sisters". In Mark it says all his sisters. You don't use the word "all" if there is only two. And so we see that there are at least four brothers and three sisters. We see them later on in the Gospel also.

Let's read further in Luke, chapter 2 verse 21 to verse 40. We're gonna see what happens when Jesus is a little bit older. It's the story of Jesus with his parents going to the temple and the question is why did they have to go to the temple? Let's foucs on just verses 22 to 24: "When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons".

They went to the temple to offer the sacrifice of purification, as it's written in the Law of the Lord. So they had to give a sacrifice. In Leviticus it gives the whole procedure of what happens when a woman has a boy or a girl born to her. After the birth they were to go to the temple and give a sin offering. If the parents were poor, then the minimum offering was a pair of doves. And after they brought their sin offering the woman would be cleaned from her flow of blood. It says here that in the time of THEIR purification, not of "Joseph's purification" but of "their" purification: both Mary and Joseph. In other words they went to the temple to give an offering for their sins. They were giving offering for their sins. Now, it's not a sin to have a child, but because of the flow of blood Mary was ceremonially unclean. So she went to give an offering for her sin. This goes directly against catholic teaching that Mary was sinless. Because we see that she gave sacrifices for her sins.

Later we see Jesus twelve years old. Look at Luke chapter 2 from verse 41 until verse 52. Jesus was in the temple, he was teaching all the wise men, Mary and Joseph lost him, they were looking all over the place for him, they found him finally in the temple, the last place they looked. And they said: We've been looking for you. Where were you? And he said "Didn't you know I would be in my Father's house?" Verse 50: "But they did not understand what he was saying to them". So we see that even his parents did not understand his calling, his mission, his relationship with the Father. But later Mary would understand.

Now let's look at the first miracle that Jesus does. This is the next time that we see Mary in the Bible. Let's read from the Book of John, chapter 2, verses 1 to 11: "On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine". "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come". His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you". Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet". They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now". This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. This was Jesus' first miracle and he was about thirty years old at that time".

All the way up until this time Jesus was living with his parents. We had seen that he was obedient to his parents. Now there's a wedding. Mary sees that there is a need and she comes to her son and she says: "They don't have any more wine. Do something". At this point in time when Jesus was beginning his ministry something changes. See, he was no longer going to be a son obedient and submitted to his mother, but now the mother would need to be obedient to the son. We see this first of all when he replies and says "woman", instead of "mother". Do you call your mother "woman" at home? Do you do that at home? The Jews didn't do that. They didn't call their mothers "women". Jesus continues with respect but he does something here. He was showing her that no longer is he a boy that is in need of her help, that he was no longer there to be obedient to her, but he was there to fulfil his role as saviour, healer and king. Their roles and relationship had to change now. It was time for him to start revealing who he was. Her ministry and role was now completed. She was no longer called to watch over and protect Jesus and help him to grow up. She's no longer his provider, but he becomes her provider. Mary then goes to the servants and she realises that she is no longer in control, but now her son is in control. Mary says to the servants: "Do whatever he tells you to do". In other words, she resigned. She said "whatever Jesus says you do that". "Whatever Jesus says I'm gonna to do now". Jesus goes ahead, he performs a miracle, he turns water into wine. But he does it secretly. Only the servants and Mary would know. The guests, the newlyweds and the host wouldn't know. These are the very last words of Mary in the Bible. Mary has said very little in the Bible. Here we have now already quoted eveything she ever said in the Word of God.

"Whatever Jesus tells you to do, do it". I think it is for a very strong purpose that these were her last words in the Bible. These words are not only to the servants in Galilea, I think these were her words to us also. She was no longer telling Jesus what he needed to do. In other words, she was ready now to tell others to listen to Jesus and she herself would be obedient. We see that we also need to go to Jesus and do what he tells us to do. People think and have the wrong impression that Jesus is hard and stern, but Mary is more loving and more open, and so if we want something we should go to Mary, because she is the loving motherly type instead of the mean, angry, unloving Jesus. We see that even people back in those days had that false impression. Let's look in Matthew, chapter 12, verses 46 to 50:

"While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you". He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother". See, the thinking is that because of her physical relationship of being close to Jesus, Jesus would answer her requests. Becuase she has a relationship that is close, Jesus would listen to his mother. Because of the love, the intimacy, Mary has a special relationship with Jesus. But, the Bible says that whoever does the will of the Father in heaven becomes the mother and the brother, and the sister of Jesus. In other words, Jesus was saying: "The close relationship I have with my mother is available for all of you. This special relationship between a mother and a son is also available to you". The requirement is doing the will of the Father in heaven.

The same situation is in Mark, written there in chapter 3. It is repeated also in Luke, chapter 8. Each of those times Jesus said: "You can be like my mother and my sister if you obey the will of my Father in heaven". The catholic church teaches that Jesus always answers Mary's requests. But we see that he didn't fulfill her request here, he didn't come outside! He stayed inside, he continued to teach. In all three accounts Mary says "Come out", in all three accounts Jesus stays where he is. He did not listen to his mother. He was showing that his earthly mother and brothers were not more important than his spiritual brothers. You see, Jesus wants to have this close relationship with you. That's why he came.

Why was Mary and his brothers there trying to get in? Why did they want to come in and speak to Jesus? Mark, chapter 3, verse 20 and 21: "Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind".

Why was Mary and his brothers there? Because they thought that Jesus had gone crazy. And they came there to say: "Poor Jesus. You come back with us. You've been in the heat too long." "He's been standing out in the hot heat in the desert roads and the sun has been beating on his head too much." Or maybe Mary was jealous, it says "there were great crowds there" and she was losing her son to the crowd. "We need to come and put Jesus into line". That's why Mary and his brothers were there. They didn't believe that he was the Messiah, they didn't believe in his mission. Not until later.

In Luke, chapter 11, verses 27 and 28 Jesus is speaking to a crowd and it says: "As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it". What is Jesus saying here? He's saying: "Yes, Mary is blessed. But those that listen and obey the word of God are more blessed." If Jesus ever meant for Mary to be blessed or lifted up, or worshiped this was the time to do it. When the woman called out "Blessed the womb who gave you birth! Blessed are the breasts that have nursed you!" Jesus chnages the focus: "There is something more important than the womb and the breasts. More important are those that hear the word of God and obey it". You've are more blessed than Mary if you become one of disciples.

He's'not saying anything bad about Mary, but he is saying something very positive about you and me. You can have the same blessing that Mary had if you listen to His word, if you obey His word, if you become submitted to His will. I believe that Mary is in the Bible for a reason, and she's there to give us an example of humility, submission and dedication.

We see her at the cross and through the whole time of crucifiction she's dedicated to be there at Jesus' side. We see that even after Jesus' resurection that she's with the church in Jerusalem, that she's there on the day of Pentecost. It says that she's there with the Lord's brothers praying to God and with Jesus' own brothers. Finally the eyes of Jesus' family were opened, they believed. They were there with the church praying not to Mary but to God, on the day that God sent his Holy Spirit and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

The last time we see Mary in the Bible she's part of the church. She is praying with the other believers, and she's a Spirit filled Christian who speaks in tongues and is proclaiming the Gospel to others.

The real focus of the Bible is not on Mary, but on Jesus. Only he healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, taught the crowds, suffered and died for us on a cross, rose again on the third day and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. It is Jesus who will one day return to judge the living and dead. If you want to pray to someone, worship someone, dedicate your life to someone - then give your life to Jesus.

Notes:
1. The Book of Judge (chapter 5, verse 24) calls Jael, who killed Sisera in her tent, blessed ABOVE other women: "Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women". (New International Version) or "Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent" (King James Version). The Israelites never worshiped Jael nor considered her better than other women. God called her blessed above women and yet there was no cult or adoration of Jael among the Jews.

2. The Book of Genesis (18:18) says that THROUGH Abraham all nations of the world will be blessed: "Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him". Israelites honored the memory of Abraham and set him as an example, but there was never any worship or cult of Abraham among them.

3. The Greek word translated as highly favoured (Luke 1:28) is "kecharitomene" (nom. sing. fem. part. perf. pass. from "charito" ) and does not apply to Mary only. The apostle Paul uses another form "charito" (3 pers. sing. aor.1, ind. act.) in the Book of Ephesians (1:6) when he says: "He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves" (NIV). All believers are highly favoured by God in Jesus Christ.

4. The Book of Judges (6:12) tells us that when the angel of the LORD came to Gedeon he greeted him saying The LORD is with you: "When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior" (NIV) . It didn't not mean, however, that Gedeon was sinless or meant to be worshiped.

5. In Luke 1:32 David is called the father of Jesus and in many other fragments Jesus is called the son of David (e.g. Matthew 1:1, 9:27, 12:23, 15:22, 20:30-31, 21:9.15; Romans 1:3), just like Mary was the mother of Jesus and Jesus was the son of Mary. Catholics believe they can call and praise Mary as the Mother of God, because Elizabeth called her the mother of my Lord (Luke 1:43) and because Jesus is God. And yet they dare not proclaim or praise David as THE FATHER OF GOD. Why not? If David is called the father of Jesus and Jesus is God why not call David the Father of God? Why don't catholics praise David or ask him for intercession? Isn't he the Father of God just like Mary is the Mother of God?

6. If Mary was sinless why was she afraid when an angel came to her and why didn't she realise that she had found favour with God (Luke 1:30)? Why didn't she know that she was going to be the mother of Christ, why didn't she know earlier the will of God for her life, why didn't she understand that she was to give birth to the Messiah? Why was she surprised to learn that God would be incarnated in her womb? Jesus always knew the will of his heavenly Father, but Mary many times showed that she did not know the will of God at all ? (a) she was absolutely surprised hearing the prophesies concerning her son (Luke 2:19.33); (b) she did not know or understand that the boy Jesus was to be found in the house of his heavenly Father (Luke 2:49-51); (c) she did not realise that Jesus was doing the will of his Father when he preached all day long and she went to stop him (Mark 3:20-21.31-35).

7. Why do catholics believe that Mary never had any sexual intercourse with her husband Joseph? Would she be in any way defiled or made less holy if she had slept with her husband? This would mean that marital sex makes people in some way unworthy in God's sight. If not, then what does it matter whether Mary was a virgin until her death or not? Why is it so important for catholics to believe that Mary remained a virgin after Jesus was born? Would she have become in any way unclean or unholy if she had slept with Joseph afterwards? The question of Mary's virginity shouldn't really be the subject of any serious arguments if we believe that marital sex is pure, holy and fully accepted in God's sight. The Bible teaches that losing virginity to your husband is no sin at all (1 Corynthians 7:28.36; 1 Timothy 4:3; Hebrews 13:4). So does it make any real difference whether Mary remained a virgin or not? It shouldn't make any difference at all.

The above is an edited message given in Lublin, Poland. Unless indictae otherwise, the New International Version of the Bible was used.