Chapter IV — On the third article

1. What does the third article — "Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary" — teach us?

The third article of the Creed teaches us that the Son of God took a body and a soul, like ours, in the most pure womb of the Virgin Mary by the work of the Holy Spirit, and that He was born of this Virgin.

2. Did the Father and the Son also concur in forming the body and creating the soul of Jesus Christ?

Yes, in forming the body and creating the soul of Jesus Christ all three divine Persons concurred.

3. Why is it said only: was conceived by the Holy Spirit?

It is said only "was conceived by the Holy Spirit" because the incarnation of the Son of God is a work of goodness and of love, and works of goodness and love are attributed to the Holy Spirit.

4. Did the Son of God, in becoming man, cease to be God?

No, the Son of God became man, without ceasing to be God.

5. So is Jesus Christ both God and man?

Yes, the Son of God incarnate, that is, Jesus Christ, is both God and man, perfect God and perfect man.

6. Are there, then, two natures in Jesus Christ?

Yes, in Jesus Christ, who is God and man, there are two natures: the divine and the human.

7. Are there in Jesus Christ also two persons, the divine and the human?

No, in the Son of God made man there is but one person only, namely, the divine.

8. How many wills are there in Jesus Christ?

In Jesus Christ there are two wills: one divine, the other human.

9. Did Jesus Christ have a free will?

Yes, Jesus Christ had a free will, but He could not do evil, because the power to do evil is a defect, not a perfection of freedom.

10. Are the Son of God and the Son of Mary the same person?

The Son of God and the Son of Mary are the same person, namely, Jesus Christ, true God and true man.

11. Is the Virgin Mary the Mother of God?

Yes, the Virgin Mary is the Mother of God, because she is the Mother of Jesus Christ, who is true God.

12. In what way did Mary become the Mother of Jesus Christ?

Mary became the Mother of Jesus Christ solely by the operation and power of the Holy Spirit.

13. Is it of faith that Mary was always a Virgin?

Yes, it is of faith that the Most Holy Mary was always a Virgin, and she is called the Virgin par excellence.