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I am writing an essay. I wrote an sentence like this, Jesus' arrival was prophesied and, moreover, was through the conception of the Holy Spirit. I am not sure whether it makes sense doctrinal sense according to Protestantism to say Jesus' arrival was through conception. Could anyone tell me?

Lily Park
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  • Hi Lily, the question is off topic and too broad to be answered here. I recommend that you change the penultimate sentence to "I am not sure whether it makes doctrinal sense according to (insert denomination of interest here) to say Jesus' arrival was through conception. Could anyone tell me?" – Andrew May 08 '16 at 19:09
  • @Flimzy She is clearly not asking if it makes grammatical sense. – Andrew May 08 '16 at 19:11
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    Welcome to the site! Could you explain further why you are not sure if it makes sense to use this wording? – Nathaniel is protesting May 08 '16 at 20:50
  • I don't know if this helps (either with resolving your question or helping you refine it), but translations of the Apostles' Creed variously say he was "conceived by the Holy Spirit" or simply "conceived by the Holy Spirit" and the Gospel of Matthew says he was "conceived from the Holy Spirit." – Mr. Bultitude May 08 '16 at 22:02
  • Yes, I was wondering maybe the sentence beginning with "Jesus" rather than "Jesus' arrival" is correct. But I don't want to change the subject, and so I asked this question. And I thought someone knows more than me could correct me if I am wrong. – Lily Park May 09 '16 at 01:01
  • Do you mean, in the title of your question, "conception of the Holy Spirit" or "Conception by the Holy Spirit?" In English, all prepositions are not equivalent, but usage has changed over the centuries. – KorvinStarmast May 09 '16 at 14:53
  • No, I am not sure whether the subject of the sentence "Jesus' arrival" matches well with "through the conception." – Lily Park May 09 '16 at 16:02

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Matthew 1:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Conception and Birth of Jesus

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

As for a Catholic perspective, we have no problem declaring that Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Apostles' Creed we profess this very fact:

"I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary."

The Church of England, the United Methodist Church and the Ecumenical version of the English Language Liturgical Consultation all share similar wording in their professions of faith.

Ken Graham
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