Affirm virgin birth of Jesus; miraculous incarnation
The Salvation Army affirms the virgin birth of Jesus Christ—that Jesus was born of Mary, a virgin, through divine intervention rather than natural generation. This doctrine testifies to the supernatural nature of the incarnation and the uniqueness of Christ's person. It is affirmed in the Articles of War and Handbook of Doctrine as part of orthodox evangelical faith.
The virgin birth demonstrates God's saving initiative and the divine nature of Christ. In Salvation Army teaching, this doctrine is presented alongside Jesus' perfect humanity as foundational to Christian faith. It reflects the conviction that Christ's coming was not an accident of history but a deliberate divine act for human redemption.
Key Distinctions
- Affirmed literally:
- yes — Jesus was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit without a human father
- Theological significance:
- confirms Christ's divine origin and fulfils Isaiah 7:14; essential Christian doctrine
Scripture References
Sources
- Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine
- The Salvation Army Handbook