The Immaculate Conception?

The Meaning of the Immaculate Conception

It's often assumed that the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception refers to Jesus. After all, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, making Him unblemished by the stain of sin, that is, Immaculate.

However, that's not the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. It doesn't refer to Jesus at all. It refers to Mary. The Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic doctrine stating that the Blessed Virgin Mary from the first instant of her conception was preserved free from all stain of original sin.

Why the Doctrine Is Rejected by Scripture

In fewer words, Mary was sinless, but this is a false doctrine not found in Scripture. The Bible says all have sinned, and Jesus Himself said, there is no one good but God. After Mary had given birth to Jesus, Joseph took them to the temple to offer a sacrifice of two turtle doves or two young pigeons, according to the law.

Leviticus 12 and the Purification Offering

We read in Leviticus 12 that after a mother is given birth, she is to go through a time of purification. After those days are completed, she is to bring to the priest a lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon or turtle dove for a sin offering.

If she can't afford a lamb, then she is to take two turtle doves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. The priest shall make atonement for her and she shall be clean.

Mary’s Offering in Luke 2

This is exactly what we see Joseph and Mary doing in Luke 2, 22 -24. Mary wouldn't have needed to do this if she was sinless. Though Joseph and Mary were too poor to afford a lamb, they did have one with them, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Only Jesus Was Without Sin

The Bible says only Jesus was without sin when we understand the text.