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Introduction
Christian doctrine contains two miraculous births that stand at the center of God’s redemptive work: the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and the new birth of the believer. At first glance these events may appear unrelated—one concerns the historical incarnation of Christ, and the other concerns the spiritual conversion of sinners. Yet Scripture presents both as extraordinary acts of divine intervention, accomplished not by human ability but through the power of God. This paper argues that the virgin birth and the believer’s new birth share deep theological similarities: both are initiated by God, brought about by the Holy Spirit, independent of human merit, and purposeful in fulfilling God’s saving plan.
1. Both Births Originate in Divine Initiative
The virgin birth was not the product of human planning, effort, or natural ability. Mary did not conceive by human will or union but by God’s direct action. When Mary asked how she could conceive without knowing a man, the angel answered:
“The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee…” (Luke 1:35)
Similarly, the new birth of a believer is not initiated by human desire or achievement but by God’s initiative. Jesus taught Nicodemus that spiritual birth is necessary and entirely God-produced:
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
The believer does not manufacture spiritual life; spiritual life is given. In both births, God is the beginning cause.
2. Both Births Are Miraculous and Supernatural
The virgin birth is a miracle because it defies the ordinary biological order. It is not merely rare; it is impossible through natural means. Christ’s conception was a supernatural act accomplished by divine power.
Likewise, spiritual rebirth is miraculous. Though it does not produce a new body, it produces a new nature. The believer moves from spiritual death to spiritual life—something no human power can accomplish. Paul writes:
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1)
No person can raise themselves from death. The new birth is therefore as supernatural in its realm as the virgin birth is in the physical realm.
3. Both Births Are Produced by the Holy Spirit
A major connecting link between these two doctrines is the Holy Spirit. The virgin birth was explicitly the work of the Spirit:
“That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:20)
The Spirit did not merely bless the pregnancy; He caused conception.
In the new birth, the Holy Spirit again performs the divine work of creating life. Jesus said:
“That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6)
The believer’s regeneration is a creative act of the Spirit, imparting new spiritual life. In both cases, the Spirit is the agent of divine generation: Christ’s human birth and the believer’s spiritual birth.
4. Both Births Are “Not of Flesh”
The virgin birth demonstrates the limitation of the flesh and the necessity of God’s intervention. The Messiah did not enter the world by ordinary human generation. Scripture emphasizes that the Savior’s entrance into the world was not rooted in human ability.
The believer’s new birth is also explicitly separated from the flesh:
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13)
Human will and fleshly lineage do not produce salvation. Just as Mary could not bring forth Christ apart from God, no sinner can bring forth spiritual life apart from God.
5. Both Births Result in a New Identity
Christ’s virgin birth marked Him as unique—fully human and yet without sin, the Son of God incarnate. The angel told Mary:
“…therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
Jesus’ birth established His earthly identity in fulfillment of divine prophecy and covenant promise.
In the new birth, the believer receives a new identity as well. They are no longer only “children of wrath” but become children of God:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…” (John 1:12)
The believer is transformed in status, relationship, and nature. The virgin birth identifies Christ as God’s Son; the new birth identifies the believer as adopted into that same family through Christ.
6. Both Births Fulfill God’s Redemptive Purpose
The virgin birth is central to redemption because it brings the Redeemer into the world. The Messiah had to be human in order to represent humanity, yet also holy in order to save humanity. The angel declared the purpose of Jesus’ birth:
“…thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
The new birth also serves God’s redemptive purpose by applying salvation to individuals. Christ comes into the world through the virgin birth; believers come into Christ through regeneration.
Thus, these births correspond: the virgin birth makes salvation possible by bringing the Savior; the new birth makes salvation personal by bringing the sinner into new life.
7. Both Births Are Acts of Grace, Not Human Merit
Mary did not earn the honor of bearing Christ by performing works sufficient to achieve such a miracle. Though she was faithful, her conception was the product of God’s grace:
“…thou hast found favour with God.” (Luke 1:30)
Likewise, believers do not earn their salvation or their new birth. Regeneration is an act of grace, not of merit:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5)
Therefore, both births showcase the same principle: salvation and God’s work always begin with grace.
Conclusion
The virgin birth and the believer’s new birth, though different in kind, are deeply connected in theology. Both are acts of divine initiative, miracles beyond human power, produced by the Holy Spirit, independent of the flesh, and accomplished by grace. The virgin birth brings Christ into the world to accomplish redemption; the new birth brings the believer into Christ to receive redemption. Together, these two births reveal the heart of the gospel: what humanity could never do for itself, God has done through His Son and by His Spirit.
Two Rivers Blog 