The Bible is against abortion

I ask everyone who is thinking of having an abortion, and everyone who has no thoughts on abortion one way or the other, to take the time to read this letter. I believe abortion is the killing of the innocent. I believe abortion is parents killing their own children. I believe that in the eyes of God, abortion is the biggest sin this world is committing today.

Although the word abortion does not appear in the Bible, the following scriptures prove beyond a doubt that God looks at the fetus as a living child from the moment of conception. The following scriptures were taken from a book called When Does Life Begin? by John Ankerberg and John Weldon.

In the Bible, the Greek word brephos is often used of the newly born, infants, and other children. For example, in Acts 7:19, brephos refers to the children killed at Pharaoh's command. But in Luke 1:41,44, the same word is used for John the Baptist while he was yet a fetus in the womb, a pre-born infant.

The Bible also informs us that John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb, indicating personhood (Luke 1:15). In addition, the Greek word Huios means "son," but it is also used in Luke 1:36 to refer to John the Baptist's existence in the womb before birth, at six months.

The Hebrew word yeled is usually used to refer to children - a child, a boy, etc. But in Exodus 21:22, it is used of a child in the womb.

In Genesis 25:22, the word yeladim (children) is used in reference to Rebecca's children struggling while still in her womb.

In Job 3:3, the word geber is used to describe the conception of Job as "a man child is conceived." That word, geber, is a Hebrew noun that is usually translated as a man, male or husband.

In Job 3:11-16, Job equates the pre-born child with kings, counselors and princes.

All of these scriptures and many others indicate that the Bible views a fetus as being as much of a person as it does a child or an adult. The scripture repeatedly assumes the continuity of a person from conception to adulthood. In fact there is no separate word used exclusively of a fetus that will permit it to be distinguished from an infant as far as its personhood and value are concerned.

Again, I say the Bible regards a fetus is the same as a child.

The following are some scriptures that show that God relates to the unborn in a personal manner:

In Psalm 139:16, the psalmist says concerning God, "Your eyes saw my unformed body."

In Job 31:15 - "Did not He who made me in the womb make him? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?"

In Job 10:8-11 we read a poetic description affirming God's hand in our creation: "Your hands formed me and made me altogether. . . You have clothed me with flesh, and have knit me together with bones and sinews."

Psalm 78:5-6 reveals God's concern over "the children yet to be born."

Here are some more scriptures that show that abortion is wrong, that God has plans for people even before they are born:

Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Galatians 1:15-16a - "But when He who set me apart, even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles."

Isaiah 49:1,5a - "Listen to me, O Islands, and pay attention you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother He named me. And now says the Lord, who formed me from the womb to be His servant . . . "

Judges 13:3 - The angel of the Lord appeared to her, "you are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son."

Again these verses show that the Bible views people as people, even before they are born. No other reasonable conclusion is possible.

There also are scriptures that indicate that human life belongs to God, not to us:

Malachi 2:10 (portion) - "Did not one God create us?"

Psalm 24:1 - "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."

Zechariah 12:1 - "The Lord . . . forms the spirit of man within him . . . "

God Himself makes the statement in Ezekiel 18:4a - "Behold, all souls are mine, the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine."

There are scriptures that teach we must defend and protect the weak, the defenseless, the innocent, the needy, and the unwanted:

Proverbs 31:8-9 - Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves.

Psalm 82:2-4, Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 17:5, Proverbs 12:6, Deuteronomy 27:25, Deuteronomy 19:10, Luke 17:2, Jeremiah 22:17, Isaiah 59:2-3 are scriptures that reinforce the truth that it is wrong to harm the defenseless and the innocent.

In the early Church, the opposition to abortion was so pronounced, there simply was no need for an explicit command. And how about the incarnation of Jesus Christ? At what point was personhood of Jesus present? It had to be present at the point of conception. Christ's personal history on earth began not when He was born of the virgin, but when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (See, for example Luke 1:31,35).

I believe you can see from these scriptures that in God's eyes, abortion is murder, it is breaking His commandment, "Thou shalt not kill."

We know all scripture is inspired by God. There are two scriptures I wish every person who is planning on having, performing, or assisting in, an abortion would read first before going through with the operation:

Isaiah 1:15 - "When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you, even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood."

Hebrews 4:13 - "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's eyes. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

In the ancient countries of Ammon and Moab, the people sacrificed their own children to idols called Molech and Chemosh. God's prophets denounced these countries and prophesied that they would be destroyed, which they were. In fact, even Israel was destroyed for a time after two of the Israelite kings - Ahaz and Manasseh - sacrificed children to false gods. All this is found in the books of Kings and Chronicles in the Old Testament.

The United States is doing the same thing today. We sacrifice our children in abortion clinics. We sacrifice them, not to the old idols of Molech and Chemosh, but to new idols called Money, Convenience and Career. There is no difference between the United States and the ancient countries of Ammon and Moab. We are as guilty as they were. Should God's wrath be any less for us than it was for Moab and Ammon, if we do not stop killing our children?

There are alternatives for pregnant women who do not want their babies. Adoption is one, counseling by priests, ministers, pastors, etc., is another. There are also private and public programs that offer housing and other resources to help pregnant women who don't have any money. They can help until the baby is born, and some programs will help even after the baby is born. Remember, God makes no distinction between a fetus and a born child. Why should anyone else?

God has told us to treat each other with respect, and to help each other through difficult times. And so, we need to reach out to the people who are thinking about having an abortion, and we need to offer our help, sincerely.

I want to see all of us go to Heaven. I want all of us to be ready for the return of Jesus.

If this letter has had an effect on you, and you can see that abortion is a terrible sin, and you have had an abortion - it is not the end of the world for you. Jesus will forgive you. Ask Jesus to forgive you and ask Jesus to come into your life.

When I asked Jesus to come into my life some years ago, I spoke from the heart and said something along these lines, if it helps:

"Jesus, I am a sinner. I ask you to forgive me of every sin I have committed throughout my life. I know you are the Son of God, and I need you, Jesus, to guide me through my life. Come into my life, Jesus, and guide me and make me one of your own."

For more information about taking the next step, visit our Taking the next step page.

Thank you, and may God bless you today.

- George Konig

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