The Psalmist wrote that life begins in the womb at conception. All of the DNA of the unborn child is recorded and written down in all its parts. It takes more than one parent* to create a human being; a male donor and a female donor. The fetus is formed by the uniting of a male sperm cell and a female egg cell in the womb of the mother. The fetus is a unique and separate human being from the mother, having its own DNA, and is only temporarily connected and sustained by an umbilical cord, during the nine month gestation period. This is an established fact that is found in both Holy Scripture and confirmed by modern science. (See “conception of fetus” & “DNA of fetus”)
Psalms 139:13-15: states: “13 You created every part of me; you put (wove) me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well. 15 When my bones were being formed (my frame was not hidden from thee), carefully put together in my mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there- 16 you saw me before I was born (your eyes saw my unformed substance). The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book (all the days of my life were written), before any of them ever began (before they ever took shape).”
Quotes From the Scientific Community
Mayo Clinic states: “The sperm and egg unite in one of your fallopian tubes to form a one-celled entity called a zygote. If more than one egg is released and fertilized or if the fertilized egg splits into two, you might have multiple zygotes.”
The zygote typically has 46 chromosomes — 23 from the biological mother and 23 from the biological father. These chromosomes help determine your baby’s sex and physical traits.”
Cleveland Clinic states: “Conception happens when sperm swims up through the vagina and fertilizes an egg in the fallopian tube. It happens in the hours or days after you have unprotected sex. After conception, the fertilized egg implants into the uterus and a pregnancy begins.”
MCCL states: Distinct. “The unborn has a DNA and body distinct from her mother and father. She develops her own arms, legs, brain, nervous system, heart, and so forth.”
The Times states: “Recent advances in modern science and medicine have discovered and clearly proven that the unborn baby in a mother’s womb is a distinct and unique human being. The DNA of a child is a merger of the DNA from both parents. Thus, every cell of the baby has its own unique DNA and genetic makeup. The baby is not part of the woman’s body or her cells. In fact, around week 3, the baby begins to develop its own blood cells distinct from the mother. So, how can we allow a unique human being, that is distinctly separate from the mother, to be killed in the womb? The unmistakable truth is that abortion is the taking of life of a distinct human being in the womb. There can be no argument denying this fact of science and medicine.” Michael Puz, North Sewickley
A Woman’s Body, Not Her Own
The argument is often made that a woman has the right to her own body and therefore has the right to make life altering decisions in regard to her unborn child. Proponents of abortion claim that a woman’s unborn child is part of her body. Holy Scripture states that a believer’s body is not their own, but belongs to the Lord and is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Similarly, the body of a fetus is a unique separate human being from the mother and has its own individual DNA. Both the body of the mother and the unborn child should be viewed as holy and consecrated unto the Lord, during a pregnancy.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God and that you are not your own? You were bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body.”
The Miracle and Complexity of a Fetus
According to scripture a developing fetus is not just a blob or mass of tissue, but a complex human being with personality traits, a brain, bone structure, organ development, distinctive features, and developing senses and awareness. After 15 weeks, a fetus can experience pain. The fetus has an identity and can also have a foreordained calling by God.
Luke 1:39-42 & 44 tells us: “39 Mary, in those days sent out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. . . . 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.'”
Genesis 25:23 states: “And the LORD (Yahweh) said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb. and two nations born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.'”
Prophets & Saints, Identified & Called by God, Before They Were Born
God had foreknowledge of Jeremiah as a prophet to the nations, before he was formed in the womb and before he was born.
Jeremiah 1:4-5 states: “4 Now the word of the LORD (Yahweh) came to me saying, 5 ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you (as my chosen instrument), and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; and I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'”
The LORD called Isaiah from his mother’s womb, from the body of his mother he was named and formed.
Isaiah 49:1 states: “1 The LORD (Yahweh) called me from the womb, from the body of my mother He named my name. 5 And now the LORD says, who formed me in the womb to be His servant. . .”
Isaiah 44:24 states: “Thus says the LORD (Yahweh), your redeemer. and He who formed you from the womb. . .”
The saints were chosen and predestined to be God’s children (sons of God) through Jesus Christ, before the founding of the world of mankind.
Ephesians 1:3-5 states: “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ, with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 Just as He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as His children (predestined, foreordained us unto adoption as sons) through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.” (See also Luke 11:49-51)
The Apostle Paul was set apart and called by God before he was born.
Galatians 1:15 states: “But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me. . .”
Speaking of himself and others, Job declared he was made or fashioned in the womb.
Job 31:15 states: “Did not He who made me in the womb make them? And did not One fashion us both in the womb?”
Solomon credits the activity of God, with the formation of the fetus in the womb of a pregnant woman.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 states: “Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.”
Abortion Viewed as Murder by God
The Psalmist tells us that children are an inheritance from the LORD and a blessing.
Psalms 127:3-4 states: “3 Behold, children are a heritage (an inheritance) from the LORD (Yahweh), the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 As arrows are in the hands of a warrior, so are the children of ones youth.”
Abortion was considered murder under the Law of Moses.
Leviticus 24:17 states: “If a man takes the life of another human being, he shall surely be put to death.”
Exodus 20:13 states: “Thou shalt not murder.
Judah sinned greatly against the LORD, offering their children as sacrifices to the god, Molech, in the valley of Hinnom. We see a similar pattern in our modern society as citizens offer up their children to Molech, the god of modern medicine.
Referring to the nation of Israel, Jeremiah 32:34-35 states: “34 They set up their abominations (disgusting things) in the house that bears my name, and defiled it. 35 They built the high places of Baal in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter my mind (nor did it come up into my heart) that they should do this abomination (disgusting thing), causing Judah to sin.”
Psalms 106:37-42 states: “37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; 37 they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus they became unclean by their acts, and prostituted themselves in their doing. 40 Then the anger of the LORD (Yahweh) was kindled against His people; and He abhorred His heritage; 41 He gave them into the hand of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies suppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their power.”
The Early Churches View of Abortion
The writings of the earliest church fathers shed light on the early Christian view of abortion, referencing it as a sin analogous to murder.
Although there is no indication that the historian Josephus was a believer, he provides a good 1st-century testimony as to the Jewish understanding of the Law. He understood the Old Testament Law to forbid abortion.
“The law, moreover enjoins us to bring up all our offspring, and forbids women to cause abortion of what is begotten, or to destroy it afterward; and if any woman appears to have so done, she will be a murderer of her child, by destroying a living creature, and diminishing humankind.”
Against Apion, 2:202.
Abortion was commonplace in both Greek and Roman cultures. However, from the earliest records we have, the church strongly opposed abortion and took steps to care for unwanted children.
One of the earliest documents we have from the early church is The Letter of Barnabas, which dates to late 1st century and early 2nd century C.E.. Barnabas prohibits abortion in the midst of a string of commands:
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor more than thy own life. Thou shalt not procure abortion, thou shalt not commit infanticide.”
“Thou shalt not slay the child by procuring abortion; nor, again, shalt thou destroy it after it is born.”
Barnabas, 19
Similarly, The Didache, which is an early Christian summary of doctrine dating to the same time period notes the following:
“The second commandment of the teaching: You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not seduce boys. You shall not commit fornication. You shall not steal. You shall not practice magic. You shall not use potions. You shall not procure [an] abortion, nor destroy a newborn child” (Didache 2:1–2).
“Thou shalt not procure abortion, nor commit infanticide.”
Didache, 2:1-2
Writing towards the end of the second century, Tertullian said:
“In our case, a murder being once for all forbidden, we may not destroy even the fetus in the womb, while as yet the human being derives blood from the other parts of the body for its sustenance. To hinder a birth is merely a speedier man-killing; nor does it matter whether you take away a life that is born, or destroy one that is coming to birth. That is a man which is going to be one; you have the fruit already in its seed” (Apology 9:8)
In the early Christian church, both abortion and infanticide were prohibited, regardless of what the rest of the culture practiced. Such was the counter-culture mentality of the early church. By not conforming to the world and having been transformed by God’s word, early Christians viewed abortion as murder. (Rd. Romans 12:1-2)
Defending the Innocent, the Unborn
The Bible tells us that we should speak out for those who cannot speak, the innocent and the defenseless, the unborn.
The LORD at Proverbs 31:8 tells us to: “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute (the defenseless, the unfortunate).”
Proverbs 17:15:
“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both.”
Isaiah 10:1-2:
“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people.”
Exodus 23:7:
“Do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.”
“A nation that kills its children in the womb has lost its soul.” Quote from Mother Teresa
Legal Precedents, Past & Present, Protecting the Unborn
Seriously injuring a pregnant woman or aborting a fetus by accident could qualify as as homicide in ancient Israel. Needless to say, there were no abortion clinics in ancient Israel.
Exodus 21:22-24 states: “22 If men struggle (fight) with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely (so that there is a miscarriage, they really hurt a pregnant woman and her children do come out), yet there is no injury (no fatal accident occurs, no lasting harm follows), he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide (determine). 23 But if there is any further injury (a fatal accident occurs, if lasting harm or damage follows), then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life (soul for soul), 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, blow for blow.”
Similar laws exist today, protecting both the mother and unborn child. (Ex. “vehiculer homicide of fetus” Minnesota)
In Minnesota, a driver can be convicted of felony criminal vehicular homicide for causing the death of a person or unborn child as a result of operating a vehicle:
- in a “grossly negligent” manner
- in a negligent manner while in violation of Minnesota’s DUI laws, or
- after having been issued a citation for defective maintenance of the vehicle and not fixing the issue (the unresolved issue having created a safety risk and caused the death).
A motorist can also be convicted of vehicular manslaughter for causing a fatal collision and leaving the scene, in violation of the hit and run law. 2024*
A glaring inconsistency, that a government can prosecute someone for gross negligence and vehiculer homicide in killing an unborn child, but grant the medical profession a license to legally kill the unborn.
The Consequences of Harming a Child
Jesus tells His disciples that unless they have the innocence and humility of a child, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever stumbles one on these little ones, it would be better that a millstone be fastened around their neck and they be thrown into the depth of the sea. Jesus further admonishes the disciples to take care that no one despises one of these little ones, “for their angels always behold the face of my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 18:1-6 states: “1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens?’ 2 He called a child, whom He put among them, 3 and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 6 If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. . . 10 Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you in heaven their angels continually (always) see (and behold) the face of my Father in heaven.'”
Seven Things that God Hates
There are six things that the LORD (Yahweh) hates and seven that are an abomination to Him.
Proverbs 6:16-19 states: “16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to Him. 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, 19 a lying witness that testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family.”
A Future Judgment
While it may be difficult for some to comprehend, none of us would be here if we were aborted. There is nothing more innocent than the life of an unborn child. Life is a gift from God and sacred. There is a future accountability and judgment for all who murder the unborn and shed innocent blood.
Revelation 21:8 states: “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”
Revelation 22:15 states: “Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the fornicators and the idolaters and the murderers and everyone who loves and practices falsehood (everyone loving and carrying on a lie, error, deception, untruth).”
God is patient and does not want anyone to be destroyed, but desires that all should attain to repentance.
Revelation 9:20-21 states: “20 And the rest of humankind. . . did not repent of the works of their hands. . . 21 And they did not repent of their murderers or their sorceries or their fornications or their thefts.”
2 Peter 3:9 states: “The Lord is not is not slow about (respecting) His promise, as some think of slowness, but (He) is patient with you not wanting any to perish (any to be destroyed), but (desires) all to come to repentance.”
Choosing Life
Jesus Christ said this about His Father, that He is the God of the living, not the dead.
Luke 20:38 states: “For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.”
Moses recorded God’s words at Deuteronomy 30:19: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.”
God’s Grace & Forgiveness
Jesus Christ tells us that every sin can be forgiven, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. For those who have had an abortion, there is forgiveness when a person repents and accepts Christ as their Savior.
Matthew 12:31-32: “31 Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come.”
Acts 2:32 states: “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
Jesus, at John 6:37 tells us: “Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.”
The LORD (Yahweh), at Isaiah 1:15-18 states: When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, let us argue it out (settle the matter, reason it out), says the LORD; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
*Wikipedia defines parent as: A parent is either the progenitor of a child or, in humans, it can refer to a caregiver or legal guardian, generally called an adoptive parent or step-parent. The gametes of a parent result in a child, a male through the sperm, and a female through the ovum. Parents who are progenitors are first-degree relatives and have 50% genetic meet.
*Laws pertaining to vehicular homicide of a fetus may vary from state to state and country to country. This is determined by their definition as to what constitutes a human being, whether born or unborn.
*Red print is for variations of scriptural passages and/or for clarification.