Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
"That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854: The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin" (Catechism, 491).
It is a cherished fact of Scripture that Mary, the human mother of Jesus of Nazareth, conceived the child Jesus without benefit of a human father, i.e., the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ. "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35). This had long ago been predicted by the Scriptures. "Therefore the LORD Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). But, to claim that Mary was '"preserved immune from all stain of original sin" (Catechism, 491), demands that we must set aside the Scriptures that affirm that "all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6).
The complete moral depravity of the sinner is a fact of Scripture. "10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10,23). Though Pope Pious IX (1854) claimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, Scripture-- and even Mary-- said he is wrong. "46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the LORD, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46-47). Mary confessed in her Magnificent that God was her Saviour, making her, at some time, a sinner; and thus, not "preserved immune from all stain of original sin" (Catechism, 491). "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us" (1John 1:10).
Rome Saith: Ever-Virginity of Mary
"The liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the 'Ever-virgin'" (Catechism, 499).
Ihat Joseph, the husband of Mary, was not the father of Jesus, is abundantly clear from Scripture. "24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the LORD had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His Name JESUS" (Matthew 1:24-25). And, that the Son of God was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, is duly recorded in Scripture. "18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the 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 Ghost" (Matthew 1:18-20).
However, Jesus of Nazareth had brothers and sisters, i.e., indicating that Mary ceased from her virginity to have other children. "Is not this the Carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not His sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him" (Mark 6:3). Scripture clearly states that Mary ceased to be a virgin, i.e., had sexual relations with her husband Joseph, after Jesus was born. "And [Joseph] knew her not till she had brought forth her Firstborn Son" (Matthew 1:25). Therefore, suffice it to say that the dogma of the Ever-Virginity of Mary can only be an human invention, and not the testimony of Scripture. "Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men";, (Mark 7:7).