There is much controversy among religious people as to the state of the virgin who brought forth our Lord. Did she remain a virgin? How long was she in the state of virginity?

The tradition of the Roman Catholic Church that is sweeping the people off their feet by denying the Scriptures is now persuading great Protestant leaders to side with her as to the virginity of Mary, in believing contrary to the Bible. They say that the virgin, Mary, had no more children after Jesus; therefore, she remained a virgin.

Suppose we let the Scriptures, themselves, rather than the Ecumenical Council in Rome, settle this matter.  A few nights ago, I was listening to the Lutheran Hour on the radio, and the subject above was the theme. In spite of the Scriptures, which the speaker knew and quoted (proving that Jesus did have brothers and sisters), he stated that there is a possibility, under the circumstances of that day, with their manner of living, and by the words which Jesus used, that Jesus had no brothers and sisters by Mary. The speaker stated that these could be people who lived in the house with them; however, he did not declare this, but left it to be believed in order to continue the trend of the Roman Catholic Church.

The only Scripture they even have to say that Mary was a virgin and to title her as Virgin Mary is Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

The controversy is concerning her married life. The Catholics would have the people to believe that she remained a virgin after Jesus was born. If the Catholics are going to accept these Scriptures that a virgin conceived and use these Scriptures as a basis on which to found the virginity of Mary (I, too, believe she was a virgin), then, they, too, are going to have to accept the Scriptures of her life after Jesus was born. Let me quote for you from St. Matthew 1:25, “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: he called His name Jesus.” This Scripture is just as true as the one in Isaiah. The Scriptures say that Joseph did know her after Jesus was born and had dealings with her after Jesus’ birth.  This proves that he had dealings with her. At this state, she ceased to be a virgin. The meaning of these principle words, ‘knowing her’, is in bringing forth other children. Scriptures are too numerous to put in this writing, but I will list some to confirm it. For example: we find in Genesis 4:1 that Adam ‘knew’ his wife and that she brought forth Cain.

Cain later went to the land of Nod and there ‘knew’ his wife. He kept her as a virgin until he arrived in this country; there he ‘knew’ her, and she brought forth a son. This is contrary to the old ‘monkey’ saying that many use to point out that Cain accepted some kind of ape or monkey for a wife.

The time when a man comes to know his wife can be proved all through the Bible to be that of bringing forth children by someone who has ceased to be a virgin. I, for my life, cannot understand why supposedly intelligent people, some educated in seminaries and colleges and hold high degrees, can be swept off their feet with Roman Catholic traditions and go along with what they call unity. God forbid such abominations.

Let me quote another Scripture from Galatians 1:19, “But of the apostles saw I none, save James, the Lord’s brother.” Another outstanding Scripture is found in St. Matthew 13:55-56, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?"

If religions are going to use the Bible, there is no way around these Scriptures. When translated into English, was it that English words lost their meaning? Does this mean that we, who speak English, are talking to the wind? If the words have no meaning for what they say, then we cannot establish anything. But, the Scripture also bears out that in the last days, there would be deceivers, deceiving and being deceived. So, this is what is coming upon the people of the earth. BEWARE THE BEAST WITH TWO HORNS, for he is to deceive the nations by the means of his craftiness and miracles.

Was Mary always a virgin, or was she just a virgin until Jesus was born? She knew no man until after Jesus was born, and at the time of her knowing her husband, Joseph, the state of her virginity ceased, for she was known of man and brought forth children. So, I believe the Bible, what do you believe? –The Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church or are you taking the doctrine of some man who has been swept off his feet by them? It is true that Mary is to be remembered, but traditions are not sufficient, only true religion and true salvation. Let us believe the Bible and suffer the consequences.

 

* Article Written By:  The Late Grady R. Kent, St. John II, Chief Bishop of The Church of God, 1957-1964. This sermon was taken from The Vision Speaks, Volume 7 : Number 8 : February 1964.

All grammatical and typographical errors have been corrected except for direct quotations from the Author.  Thought content of said article has not been changed.