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by Kevin Pauley
See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated "God is with us." When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord's angel had commanded him. He married her but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus. - Matthew 1:23-25 HCSB
It is an unfortunate truth that most abortionists no longer contest the issue of life beginning at conception. I say unfortunate because in the process of hardening their hearts, they have gone a step further in their depravity. They admit that we possess our full potentiality at conception, but that this human is less valuable for not breathing oxygen the same way we do. I would like to briefly address the issue of worth biblically.
The phrase “woman with child” itself affirms that a fetus is a child. Jesus was Jesus while yet in the womb. He already had a name and a purpose before His birth.[1] Can you imagine the ramifications if Mary had aborted Him due to the considerable emotional, psychological, social and financial hardships she would suffer?
Hezekiah identified those who were not yet born as “children.”[2] Job referred to them as “infants who never see daylight.”[3] Hashem, in a direct quote delivered by Isaiah named the unborn “a baby.”[4] Just as God would follow through on the birth of Israel because of His great plans for her, it would be unthinkable to not allow a child to be born.
John was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in the womb. Therefore, besides the understandable challenges this poses for Arminianism, John the Baptist must be understood as having been a person before he was born.
Not only was he filled with the Holy Spirit, but John leaped inside Elizabeth and she too was filled with the Holy Spirit. Under the inspiration of that sweet Spirit of Truth, she stated that the baby “leaped for joy”. Ask any mother and she will tell you that the baby inside her has moods. They react to their environment. They respond to the voice of their father when he speaks often to them.
If a fetus is considered by the Lord to be a child, then the fetus’ value exists prior to its birth. In fact, as demonstrated elsewhere,[5] it begins at conception. There is value in the life of an unborn child. Children are a reward from God. They are like arrows in the hand of a warrior and happy is the parent who has a quiver full of them.[6] Regardless of their handicap, or their “quality of life” (something incredibly difficult to define), God really wants each person to be born. He does have a plan for each person. People possess both worth and identity before they are born.[7]
God is the one who gives and takes away life.[8] The question is - will we refuse his gift?
[5] When Does Life Begin?
[7] Isaiah 49:5; Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13-16; Matthew 10:29-31; Romans 9:11; Galatians 1:15
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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