Mary remained virgin at Jesus's conception; literally miraculous birth; doctrinally essential
The Cherubim and Seraphim Church affirms the virgin birth of Jesus Christ as a literal, miraculous event. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virgin at the time of Jesus's conception; the birth was brought about by the direct action of the Holy Spirit, not by a human father. This affirmation is grounded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and is regarded as essential to Christian orthodoxy.
The virgin birth is understood as demonstrating the divine character and supernatural origin of Jesus. It underscores that Jesus is not merely a human being but truly God's Son, conceived by divine power. The virgin birth also emphasizes God's initiative in redemption — salvation is entirely God's act, initiated by the Spirit and accomplished in Christ.
While the C&S does not extensively theologize about Mary (as Catholic Marian theology does), it does honor Mary as the mother of Jesus and the vessel through whom God's Son entered the world. The virgin birth remains a central article of faith and is preached as evidence of Jesus's divine identity.
Key Distinctions
- Affirmed literally:
- essential to affirm Jesus's divine origin and redemptive power
- Marian status:
- honored as mother of Jesus; no Marian theology beyond this
Scripture References
Sources
- Cherubim and Seraphim Doctrine on Jesus's Birth
- Olayiwola, S. A. 'Christology in African Christianity' — study of African Protestant Christology