254 The Fundamentals . only Gospels which record the circumstances of Christ’s birth at all. By general consent the narratives in Matthew (chap ters 1, 2) and in Luke (chapters 1, 2) are independent—that is, they are not derived one from the other—yet they both affirm, in detailed story, that Jesus, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, was bom of a pure virgin, Mary of Nazar eth, espoused to Joseph, whose wife she afterwards became. The birth took place at Bethlehem, whither Joseph and Mary had gone for enrollment in a census that was being taken. The announcement was made to Mary beforehand by an angel, and the birth was preceded, attended, and followed by remarkable events that are narrated (birth of the Baptist, with annuncia tions, angelic vision to the shepherds, visit of wise men from the east, etc.). The narratives should be carefully read at length to understand the comments that follow. THE TESTIMONY TESTED. There is ho doubt, therefore, about the testimony to the Virgin birth, and the question which now arises is—What is the value of these parts of the Gospels as evidence? Are they genuine parts of the Gospels? Or are they late and untrust worthy additions? From what sources may they be presumed to be derived ? It is on the truth of the narratives that our belief in the Virgin birth depends. Can they be trusted? Or are they mere fables, inventions, legends, to which no credit can be attached? The answer to several of these questions can be given in very brief form. The narratives of the nativity in Matthew and Luke are undoubtedly genuine parts oí their respective Gospels. They have been there since ever the Gospels themselves had an existence. The proof of this is convincing. The chapters in question are found in every manuscript and version of the Gospels known to exist. There are hundreds of manuscripts, some of them very old, belonging to different parts of the world, and many versions in different languages (Latin,.Syriac,
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