Abortion - The Facts

The Bible teaches us that GOD IS THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE.

"And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son." Ruth 4:13

"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13

According to the Bible, LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION. Jeremiah was known of God and called by Him while still in his mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5). John the Baptist "leaped with joy" and was "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:44) in his mother's womb. Jesus was "conceived" of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20) in Mary's womb. The Apostle Paul was chosen by God while still in his mother's womb (Gal 1:15, 16).

"This is what the Lord says - your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord who has made all things." Isaiah 44:24

The Abortion Holocaust

Every year in the USA over one and a half million lives are ended by abortion. The USSR records over seven million abortions a year. Worldwide, abortion ends fifty five million young lives - every year. The four main methods of abortion include:

1. Suction: a powerful vacuum pressure sucks the unborn baby and placenta from the womb.

2. Dilation and Curettage/Evacuation: a surgical instrument is introduced into the womb and dismembers the unborn child.

3. Prostaglandin: a drug-induced premature labour which expels the unborn child. Salt poisoning is also used in which the child is burned alive in the mother's womb.

4. Hysterotomy: a mini-ceasarian section operation which opens the mother's uterus where the unborn child is either strangled or left to die by neglect.

But whether burnt, smothered, drugged, sucked, or cut to pieces - the result is death for the newly conceived life. In fact, America loses more lives through abortion EACH YEAR than their accumulative losses in all the wars they have ever fought throughout the last three centuries!

People who are disgusted at reports of child sacrifice by satanists should remember that, practically speaking, abortion is just a clinical and sophisticated form of child sacrifice. All civilised people are revolted at the practice of cannibalism - yet tens of thousands of aborted babies have been sold to cosmetic companies for use in shampoos and beauty products.

The Pro-life Teaching of the Bible

The Bible asks the question:

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" Isaiah 49:15

The Bible teaches that God created man in His image and commanded mankind to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:26-28).

The sanctity of life is declared (Gen 9:6).

The conception of children is seen as a gift from God (Gen 21:1, 2; 25:21).

The shedding of innocent blood defiles the nation that allows it (Numbers 35:33). Children should not die for the sin of the parents (Deut 24:16).

The dignity of human life is declared by God (Psalm 8).

David recognised that his humanity had started from the moment of conception (Psalm 51:5).

God renews the face of the earth by creating life (Psalm 104:30). Children are a blessing from the Lord - a heritage and a reward (Psalm 127:3). God hates the hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16, 17). God forms us from the womb (Isaiah 44:2). We have a Christian responsibility to warn the wicked (Ezekiel 3:17-19). The killing of pregnant women brings God's wrath down upon the wicked (Amos 1:13-15).

Of the children, Jesus said:

"Whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me." Matthew 18:5

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My father in heaven." Matthew 18:10

"In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost." Matthew 18:14

What then should the Christian response to abortion be?

In Exodus 1 we read that when the king of Egypt commanded the killing of all the male babies born - God blessed those midwives who refused to kill the new-born.

"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering towards slaughter." Proverbs 24:11

When Does Life Begin?

Life begins at conception. At that moment a new individual is conceived. Each parent contributes 23 chromosomes to form a unique human being. The unborn baby is then, genetically, physiologically and organically, a distinct person. At that moment life begins. From that time on any further formation is purely a matter of development, growth and maturation.

By three weeks after conception the tiny human being has the beginnings of eyes, spinal cord, nervous system, lungs, stomach and intestines. The heart begins beating at three weeks. Six weeks after conception the baby has its own life-long brain wave.

If the absence of a brain wave is considered a sign of death, why then is the presence of this brain wave not accepted as a confirmation of life?

Birth is not a magical act that turns a non-human being into a person. Birth is only a change in environment for a life that began many months before.

Abortionists need to acknowledge that abortion is not entirely safe. Besides killing the child, abortion can endanger the mother's health or life. Civilised society suffers when some people can kill others for convenience. Abortion may also cause future miscarriages, infertility, and it always leaves emotional scars.

It is vital for Christians to present the alternatives to abortion. Adoption is often a viable answer to an unwanted pregnancy. There are many eager parents and childless couples who desperately want to adopt a child. It is cruel to throw away lives that others are praying for. Adoption is a loving option.

It also should go without saying that Christians must be consistent in love and practical support for expectant mothers and newborn children. It is this atmosphere of caring that will make all the difference.

"This day I call heaven and earth as witness against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now CHOOSE LIFE, so that your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 30:19, 20

Dr. Peter Hammond