Hello, we're going to discuss the Holy Spirit tomorrow in our home group. I have a couple questions that one of our newer members has asked: Matthew 1:18 - I have checked my NIV, ESV, and NLT and it's similar in all, but the study notes do not mention this bit. Where it says "Mary...became pregnant by the Holy Spirit". I've read this verse many times but only when someone questioned it, did I REALLY read it. So, was Jesus actually conceived by the Holy Spirit? Was the Holy Spirit mentioned only because he is part of the Trinity? In other words, why the Holy Spirit?
Also, another question that came up (later of course) if Jesus was actually God, who did He pray to?
Thanks for any references or opinions.
God to Mary
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He 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, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Mary to God
How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
God to Mary - the how
The angel answered, “
The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be born will be called b the Son of God
Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus.
That testimony is truth. Do not let any spirit or man cause you to doubt. You did read it. You also read Jesus stated He was Gods Son. You also read God speaking like that sound of thunder from above in regard to Jesus "This is my Son..."
2 Psalm in regard to Gods chosen anointed ruler
I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “
You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”