We wish to have a look at the virtuous Mary and see what God did through her and also on the other hand what men made of her. This Miriam, which was her name, was a virgin and through her the promise of God by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14).

In some new Bible translations, the word “virgin” is being replaced with “young woman”, but that is a distortion of the original meaning.
At the time of this greatest event she was not a “young woman” but that she was later. She was a virgin when the Holy Ghost overshadowed her. A virgin is clean and untouched.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in this way: When as his mother, Mary, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 1:18).

Joseph was so disappointed that he wanted to leave her. We can imagine the feelings he had. “Then Joseph, her promised husband, being a just man, not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.” He wanted no scandal but was aggravated and therefore decided to leave her quietly. “But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 1:19-20).

Here we find the first statement that Mary who was espoused to Joseph later became his wife. Those who read the context will find out that Joseph acted precisely according to the instruction given unto him. “… did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife, and knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son; and he called his name Jesus” (vs. 24-25). This is a very clear statement. Only after the birth of Jesus Christ had they family relations. From this marriage, four sons and daughters whose number is not given came forth. “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?” (Mt. 13:55-56). This is the scriptural truth. All other ideas which are meant to honour Mary are purposely formulated and invented.

Already in Mt. 1:16, Joseph is mentioned as the husband of Mary in the genealogy. Also about this fact of the marriage from which came forth the children, we would like to have more witnesses. The evangelist Mark states the same fact in chapter 6, verse 3. Luke knew also this fact and records that His mother and His brethren came to see Him, “Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come to him, because of the crowd … and he answered, and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these who hear the word of God and do it” (Lk. 8:19-21).

Jesus did not come to establish an earthly relation, therefore, He could not treat His earthly mother and her sons with preference. He gave the needed correction to underline who the true children of God are, namely those who hear and do God’s Word.

False inspirations were already there in those days. This is also not withheld from us. “And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto them, Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the breasts which nursed thee. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it” (Lk. 11:27-28). What a typical adoration was uttered there, but the Lord gave a very quick and precise correction at that very moment.

To further even more the cult of Mary, Luke 1:28 is being falsified and in some cases even wrongly translated. It should read like this, “And he came to her and said, Hail, oh favoured one, endued with grace, the Lord is with you …” In the Catholic catechism, it reads like this, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee”. There is a tremendous difference between some one having found grace with God and to be full of the grace.

Mary grew up and lived like all other girls. Before the angel Gabriel spoke to her she was engaged to Joseph and of course was planning to get married. It was the espoused Mary to whom the angel spoke, “… do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God” (Lk. 1:30). Most certainly she was surprised hearing this message from the heavenly messenger. This verse confirms once more that it was not Mary who was full of grace, but as it is written that she had found grace before God. Therefore, she could say, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her” (vs. 38).

There is no place in the Holy Scriptures which speaks of the grace of Mary or of the favour of Joseph. On the contrary, the grace of God appeared to us when the Word was made flesh dwelling among us (Jn. 1). For ever the grace of God is only found in the Redeemer Himself. “And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:16-17). Also in this regard, the Scripture contains a very clear testimony.

The Son does not rest on Mary’s breast or in her arms as shown on innumerable pictures and statues, but rather as it is written, in the Father’s bosom. “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him” (Jn. 1:18). All pictures showing the mother with the child are of heathen origin, they detect fertility gods and goddesses. They were just adopted. This deception took people away from the true worship of God to a service of idolatry. Jesus is not the blessed fruit of Mary; but she was only the vessel to carry the divine substance — the Word which was made flesh.

In the following verses, we are told about the human failure of Mary. After the Passover in Jerusalem, the people went home. But Jesus being twelve years of age remained in the temple. The family did not even notice for several days that He was not with them. “And it came to pass, that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions” (Lk. 2:46). Of course, Mary was concerned and did not pay exact attention to what she said rebuking Him slightly in that moment when she found Him. “And his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee, sorrowing” (Lk. 2:48).

The answer of the child Jesus was a definite correction, “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Knew ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (vs. 49). He certainly did not refer to Joseph or his workshop, but rather to His heavenly Father. Then and there He corrected the statement Mary made who incorrectly in that moment called Joseph His Father.

Mary herself needed God’s grace and salvation. She was found among the hundred-and-twenty who had gathered in the upper room to receive the Holy Spirit after Jesus Christ was taken to heaven. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14). The brethren found it difficult to believe at first (Jn. 7:3-5), but as we are told later they were among the true believers.

Nothing was known about any veneration of Mary. She was found with those who prayed with supplication waiting to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The personal receiving of the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation to every child of God, and Mary was no exception.

It is said, “The Son fulfils every petition of Mary”. Where is such written? False hopes are being nourished. At the wedding in Cana in Galilee, there was not sufficient beverage. “And when they lacked wine, the mother of Jesus says unto him, They have no wine. Jesus says unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour has not yet come” (Jn. 2:3-4). It was a very sharp answer and shows very clearly that no one can influence Him, not even Mary.

The good advice she gave to those serving should be taken to heart, “Whatever he says unto you do it” (vs. 5). This is the great lesson for all humanity. The brethren of the Lord are not only mentioned in the gospels, Paul also refers to them, “Have we no right to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” (I Cor. 9:5). To the Galatians the apostle writes, “But other of the apostles saw I none, except James, the Lord’s brother” (Gal. 1:19). It is very strange but true, that Mary was never again mentioned in the New Testament except in Acts 2 when receiving the Holy Ghost. A Bible believing Christian is satisfied with the fact that she had served in the God ordained purpose. The early Christians had not the spirit of idolatry but the Holy Spirit and gave all adoration to God, the Creator, and not to any one of the creation.

“After the 7th century, a totally unbiblical veneration and deifying of Mary began. Since the 12th century the Ave Maria was being recited. The celebrating feasts were since the year 1140 enriched by the feast of the immaculate conception. In the 12th century the use of the rosary began. In the sign of Mary the Catholic church aims to win the world for itself. Therefore the cult with Mary was more strongly emphasised after World War II.” (O. Markmann, Irrtümer der katholischen Kirche, pg. 48-50).

We must differentiate and discern between the things which are being taught and practised to know whether it is the Holy Spirit or the antichrist spirit which is at work. It must be emphasised and clearly stated that the Mary presented in the Holy Scriptures is our example in regards to faith. It is said about her, “And blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Lk. 1:45). The same applies to all of us. We must believe all the promises which God gave to us. Only then we have the guarantee that they will be accomplished. All of us must say as she did, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Lk. 1:38). The Mary of the Scriptures is totally different to the one who was deified in the year 431 at the council of Ephesus.

We wish to have a look at the virtuous Mary and see what God did through her and also on the other hand what men made of her. This Miriam, which was her name, was a virgin and through her the promise of God by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14).

In some new Bible translations, the word “virgin” is being replaced with “young woman”, but that is a distortion of the original meaning.
At the time of this greatest event she was not a “young woman” but that she was later. She was a virgin when the Holy Ghost overshadowed her. A virgin is clean and untouched.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in this way: When as his mother, Mary, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 1:18).

Joseph was so disappointed that he wanted to leave her. We can imagine the feelings he had. “Then Joseph, her promised husband, being a just man, not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately.” He wanted no scandal but was aggravated and therefore decided to leave her quietly. “But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 1:19-20).

Here we find the first statement that Mary who was espoused to Joseph later became his wife. Those who read the context will find out that Joseph acted precisely according to the instruction given unto him. “… did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife, and knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son; and he called his name Jesus” (vs. 24-25). This is a very clear statement. Only after the birth of Jesus Christ had they family relations. From this marriage, four sons and daughters whose number is not given came forth. “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?” (Mt. 13:55-56). This is the scriptural truth. All other ideas which are meant to honour Mary are purposely formulated and invented.

Already in Mt. 1:16, Joseph is mentioned as the husband of Mary in the genealogy. Also about this fact of the marriage from which came forth the children, we would like to have more witnesses. The evangelist Mark states the same fact in chapter 6, verse 3. Luke knew also this fact and records that His mother and His brethren came to see Him, “Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come to him, because of the crowd … and he answered, and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these who hear the word of God and do it” (Lk. 8:19-21).

Jesus did not come to establish an earthly relation, therefore, He could not treat His earthly mother and her sons with preference. He gave the needed correction to underline who the true children of God are, namely those who hear and do God’s Word.

False inspirations were already there in those days. This is also not withheld from us. “And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto them, Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the breasts which nursed thee. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it” (Lk. 11:27-28). What a typical adoration was uttered there, but the Lord gave a very quick and precise correction at that very moment.

To further even more the cult of Mary, Luke 1:28 is being falsified and in some cases even wrongly translated. It should read like this, “And he came to her and said, Hail, oh favoured one, endued with grace, the Lord is with you …” In the Catholic catechism, it reads like this, “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee”. There is a tremendous difference between some one having found grace with God and to be full of the grace.

Mary grew up and lived like all other girls. Before the angel Gabriel spoke to her she was engaged to Joseph and of course was planning to get married. It was the espoused Mary to whom the angel spoke, “… do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God” (Lk. 1:30). Most certainly she was surprised hearing this message from the heavenly messenger. This verse confirms once more that it was not Mary who was full of grace, but as it is written that she had found grace before God. Therefore, she could say, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said. And the angel left her” (vs. 38).

There is no place in the Holy Scriptures which speaks of the grace of Mary or of the favour of Joseph. On the contrary, the grace of God appeared to us when the Word was made flesh dwelling among us (Jn. 1). For ever the grace of God is only found in the Redeemer Himself. “And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:16-17). Also in this regard, the Scripture contains a very clear testimony.

The Son does not rest on Mary’s breast or in her arms as shown on innumerable pictures and statues, but rather as it is written, in the Father’s bosom. “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him” (Jn. 1:18). All pictures showing the mother with the child are of heathen origin, they detect fertility gods and goddesses. They were just adopted. This deception took people away from the true worship of God to a service of idolatry. Jesus is not the blessed fruit of Mary; but she was only the vessel to carry the divine substance — the Word which was made flesh.

In the following verses, we are told about the human failure of Mary. After the Passover in Jerusalem, the people went home. But Jesus being twelve years of age remained in the temple. The family did not even notice for several days that He was not with them. “And it came to pass, that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions” (Lk. 2:46). Of course, Mary was concerned and did not pay exact attention to what she said rebuking Him slightly in that moment when she found Him. “And his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee, sorrowing” (Lk. 2:48).

The answer of the child Jesus was a definite correction, “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Knew ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (vs. 49). He certainly did not refer to Joseph or his workshop, but rather to His heavenly Father. Then and there He corrected the statement Mary made who incorrectly in that moment called Joseph His Father.

Mary herself needed God’s grace and salvation. She was found among the hundred-and-twenty who had gathered in the upper room to receive the Holy Spirit after Jesus Christ was taken to heaven. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14). The brethren found it difficult to believe at first (Jn. 7:3-5), but as we are told later they were among the true believers.

Nothing was known about any veneration of Mary. She was found with those who prayed with supplication waiting to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The personal receiving of the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation to every child of God, and Mary was no exception.

It is said, “The Son fulfils every petition of Mary”. Where is such written? False hopes are being nourished. At the wedding in Cana in Galilee, there was not sufficient beverage. “And when they lacked wine, the mother of Jesus says unto him, They have no wine. Jesus says unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour has not yet come” (Jn. 2:3-4). It was a very sharp answer and shows very clearly that no one can influence Him, not even Mary.

The good advice she gave to those serving should be taken to heart, “Whatever he says unto you do it” (vs. 5). This is the great lesson for all humanity. The brethren of the Lord are not only mentioned in the gospels, Paul also refers to them, “Have we no right to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” (I Cor. 9:5). To the Galatians the apostle writes, “But other of the apostles saw I none, except James, the Lord’s brother” (Gal. 1:19). It is very strange but true, that Mary was never again mentioned in the New Testament except in Acts 2 when receiving the Holy Ghost. A Bible believing Christian is satisfied with the fact that she had served in the God ordained purpose. The early Christians had not the spirit of idolatry but the Holy Spirit and gave all adoration to God, the Creator, and not to any one of the creation.

“After the 7th century, a totally unbiblical veneration and deifying of Mary began. Since the 12th century the Ave Maria was being recited. The celebrating feasts were since the year 1140 enriched by the feast of the immaculate conception. In the 12th century the use of the rosary began. In the sign of Mary the Catholic church aims to win the world for itself. Therefore the cult with Mary was more strongly emphasised after World War II.” (O. Markmann, Irrtümer der katholischen Kirche, pg. 48-50).

We must differentiate and discern between the things which are being taught and practised to know whether it is the Holy Spirit or the antichrist spirit which is at work. It must be emphasised and clearly stated that the Mary presented in the Holy Scriptures is our example in regards to faith. It is said about her, “And blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Lk. 1:45). The same applies to all of us. We must believe all the promises which God gave to us. Only then we have the guarantee that they will be accomplished. All of us must say as she did, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Lk. 1:38). The Mary of the Scriptures is totally different to the one who was deified in the year 431 at the council of Ephesus.