7rcTIX1xP

The Second Lesson: The Mystery of the Virgin Birth.949
the story been written by and believed in by the writers, such action on
their part being contrary to human custom and probability.
3. The Gospels of Mark and John are absolutely silent on the subject; the
oldest of the Gospels—that of Mark—bears no trace of the legend; and the
latest Gospel—that of John—being equally free from its mention.
4. The rest of the New Testament breathes not a word of the story or
doctrine. The Book of Acts, generally accepted as having also been written by
Luke, ignores the subject completely. Paul, the teacher of Luke, and the great
writer of the Early Church, seems to know nothing whatever about the Virgin
Birth, or else purposely ignores it entirely, the latter being unbelievable
in such a man. Peter, the First Apostle, makes no mention of the story or
doctrine in his great Epistles, which fact is inconceivable if he knew of and
believed in the legend. The Book of Revelation is likewise silent upon this
doctrine which played so important a part in the later history of the Church.
The great writings of the New Testament contain no mention of the story,
outside of the brief mention in Matthew and Luke, alluded to above.
5. There are many verses in the Gospels and Epistles which go to prove,
either that the story was unknown to the writers, or else not accepted by
them. The genealogies of Joseph are cited to prove the descent of Jesus from
David, which depends entirely upon the fact of Joseph’s actual parentage. Jesus
is repeatedly and freely mentioned as the son of Joseph. Paul and the other
Apostles hold firmly to the doctrine of the necessity of the Death of Jesus;
his Rising from the Dead; and his Ascension into Heaven, etc. But they had
nothing to say regarding any necessity for his Virgin Birth, or the necessity
for the acceptance of any such doctrine—they are absolutely silent on this
point, although they were careful men, omitting no important detail of
doctrine. Paul even speaks of Jesus as “of the seed of David.” (Romans 1:3)
6. The Virgin Birth was not a part of the early traditions or doctrine of the
Church, but was unknown to it. And it is not referred to in the preaching and
teaching of the Apostles, as may have been seen by reference to the Book
of Acts. This book, which relates the Acts and Teachings of the Apostles,