It is difficult to separate Christ and the Holy Spirit during the time the Lord was here on earth. As we will see, the scriptures clearly teach that there is distinct cooperation between the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, but they are separate. Before the Messiah came to earth, the prophets predicted His coming, as well as the details of his birth, work, and death. It appears that the Holy Spirit had a part in planning the Lord's earthly ministry. Their relationship did not end when Jesus left the earth. It just took on another dimension. We need to study and understand the facts surrounding this relationship. The Holy Spirit played a major role in Jesus' coming to earth to redeem the souls of all mankind.

The Incarnation of Christ Jesus. The virgin birth of Christ is an important and critical issue. Consider the following:

• Not accepting the virgin birth brings into question the trustworthiness of the scriptures.
• The virgin birth validates His claim to be God's Son.
• The virgin birth is the only plausible explanation of His birth.
• The virgin birth is inseparably connected with His Deity.
• The virgin-birth doctrine protects Mary's purity and character.
• The virgin-birth doctrine provides a test for our faith.
• The virgin-birth doctrine is one of the critics' favorite reasons for attacking the Bible's credibility.
• The virgin birth demonstrates God's unquestionable love of, and devotion to, mankind.
• It culminated in the only redemptive plan capable of returning man to fellowship with His Creator.

Who denies the virgin birth of Christ?

• Early Gnostics -- Because of their inherent belief in the evil of fleshly man, they must deny that He came in the flesh. 1 John 4:1-3
• Theological liberals -- Swiss theologian Emil Brunner -- "The virgin birth is a danger to the Christian faith." Harry Emerson Fosdick once told his congregation: "I want to assure you I do not believe in the virgin birth of Christ, and I hope none of you do."
• Modern cults -- Many of the modern-day cults deny the virgin birth. Sun Myoung Moon believes Mary conceived while being unfaithful to Joseph and considers Jesus an illegitimate child.
• Modern religion -- Some years ago, Time Magazine polled those who claimed to be of the Protestant faith, asking whether they believed the Biblical account of the virgin birth. Sixty-five percent said "No."
• Liberal brethren -- A few years ago, a teacher at ACU wrote an article in Wineskins, a paper edited by Rubel Shelly. In the article, entitled "Christmas at Matthew's House," he referred to Mary as another of the Bible's questionable women!
• Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) -- The LDS religion teaches that God, in the form of Elohim, came to earth and had sexual relations with Mary; and that is how Jesus was conceived!

The question that begs to be asked is: "how could one believe in God and deny the Biblical account of His Son's birth." If that account is a myth, why wouldn't the rest of the Bible be just as questionable?

What does God's word say concerning the birth of Jesus Christ? We will examine the two accounts in Matthew and Luke.

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us. Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus." {Matthew 1:18-25}

From Matthew's account, we learn:

• Joseph considered putting her away privately.
• That which was conceived was of the Holy Spirit.
• The child would be a son, and His name would be Jesus.
• He would save His people from their sins.
• He would be "God with us."

"The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." {Luke 1:27-35}

From Luke's account, we learn:

• The Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Highest would overshadow her.
• The child would be called the Son of God.
• Mary found favor with God.
• He would receive the throne of David, His father.
• Mary had not "known" a man.

Mary's cousin Elizabeth confirmed that the son she was carrying was the Son of God. (Luke 1:41-43) The angel announced His birth. (Luke 2:8-11) God was His Father. (Luke 2:49) Joseph was in the lineage of Christ. (Matthew 1:16)

The Holy Spirit would be the agent God used to conceive His Son, through His choice -- His servant Mary. The Holy Spirit was the means through which the Son would come into this world. How important does that make His relationship with the Son?

Let us examine some facts concerning the baptism of Jesus.

"When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him." {Matthew 3:16}

"It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove." {Mark 1:9,10}

"When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him..." {Luke 3:21,22}

The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove. This was a sign for John to indicate that Jesus was the Messiah. "And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." {John 1:32-34}

Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit. "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." {Acts 10:38} Jesus received the Spirit without measure. "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure." {John 3:34}

He began His ministry under the influence and complete control of the Holy Spirit. "Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region." {Luke 4:14}

He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." {Matthew 4:1} Also read Mark 1:12 and Luke 4:1. Jesus was subject to temptations; and yet, He never succumbed to them. (Hebrews 4:15)

The Holy Spirit's presence, influence, and cooperation continued with Jesus Christ throughout His public ministry. He declared fulfillment in Himself -- "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me, to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." {Luke 4:18}

He was taught through the Holy Spirit's power. "Behold My Servant whom I have chosen, My beloved in whom My soul is well pleased, I will put My Spirit upon Him..." {Matthew 12:18}

He Cast out demons by the Spirit's power. "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." {Matthew 12:28} He was accused of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. How could this be true when He (the Spirit) was aiding Him in the works He did! Some who misread these passages assume that Jesus did not have the power to do these things Himself. Not so, since He Himself was also God!

Finally, Christ's resurrection was another part of His relationship with the Spirit. "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." {Romans 8:11} He was declared to be God's Son with power -- by the resurrection. (Romans 1:4) His ascension and coronation were announced by the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:32-36. The Holy Spirit was a faithful witness. (Acts 5:32) The Holy Spirit was with Christ during every aspect of His existence on earth. How close a relationship they had!