The virgin birth is essential because it signifies the divine origin of Jesus and His sinless nature.
The virgin birth is crucial to the Christian faith as it emphasizes the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception, affirming His identity as Immanuel, 'God with us' (Matthew 1:23). This miraculous birth through the Holy Spirit ensures that Jesus did not inherit sin from humanity, which is pivotal given Romans 5:12's teaching that sin entered through Adam. Thus, Jesus, being born of a virgin, is the perfect and sinless Savior who can reconcile humanity with God (Hebrews 4:15). This doctrine delegitimizes any notion that Jesus was merely a prophet or good teacher; rather, He is fully God and fully man, uniquely capable of redeeming His people.
Scripture References:
Matthew 1:23, Romans 5:12, Hebrews 4:15, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25
Commentary