What enabled Mary to conceive Jesus without sexual intercourse?

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Study for the Chapell and Meeks Licensure and Ordination Test. Access flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

The correct answer is that the Holy Spirit enabled Mary to conceive Jesus without sexual intercourse. This concept is rooted in Christian doctrine and is referred to as the "Incarnation." According to the Gospels, particularly in the Gospel of Luke, it is stated that the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and that she would conceive a child who was to be called the Son of God. This emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus' conception, distinguishing it from typical human reproduction.

The role of the Holy Spirit in this process is central to the understanding of the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth. The belief is that the Holy Spirit acted in a unique way, allowing for the conception to occur in a manner that did not involve human agency or normal biological processes, thus affirming the belief in the virgin birth and the divine origin of Jesus.

The other options, while significant at times in theological discussions, do not encapsulate the specific mechanism by which Mary conceived Jesus. Joseph's intervention does not align with the narrative of the virgin birth, and miraculous creation could imply various interpretations that do not reflect the specific Christian teaching. Divine will alone can be somewhat accurate, but it is through the agency of the Holy Spirit that the conception is specifically described in scripture.

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