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By Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director - LoveAllPeople.org
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Human Life (Personhood) Begins At The First Heartbeat, During The Third
Week After Conception, Not At The Moment Of Conception
Biblical quotations are taken from the authoritative King James Version
(KJV) of the Bible.
Jesus Teaches Us Always To Seek The Truth
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free." ( John 8:32 KJV)
We may have strong feelings and beliefs about a subject such as abortion,
but some of our feelings and beliefs might be false. Jesus teaches us to
seek the truth, no matter where it leads.
Christians Search The Bible For Moral Truth And Guidance
The Bible is the inspired written Word of God, sufficient to guide all
human action, for all people, at all times. Although its Source is
infallible, the Bible itself is not perfectly infallible because fallible
humans have introduced human error into it. Also, the Bible cannot always
be understood literally, because it contains figures of speech which are
never intended to be taken literally. Nevertheless, the Bible is the
highest written authority in all matters which it discusses. And if it is
properly understood and properly applied, it is a sufficient moral guide
for all human action.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
"That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works."
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)
The Bible Prohibits The Taking Of Innocent Life
This prohibits abortion (after life begins) in all but the most extreme
cases of necessity.
Exodus 23:7 (KJV)
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay
thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
Deuteronomy 19:10 (KJV)
That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God
giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.
Deuteronomy 27:25 (KJV)
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the
people shall say, Amen.
Psalm 106:38 (KJV)
And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their
daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land
was polluted with blood.
Proverbs 6:17 (KJV)
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
The Bible Also Teaches Us That "Life Is In The Blood."
"But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood
thereof, shall ye not eat." (Genesis 9:4 KJV)
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have
given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for
your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement
for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11 KJV)
"For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for
the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of
Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for
the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth
it shall be cut off." (Leviticus 17:14 KJV)
"Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood
is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh."
(Deuteronomy 12:23 KJV)
This means that human life does not begin until blood is present in the
embryo.
Therefore, Life (As The Bible Understands It) Cannot Begin At The Moment
Of Conception, Because There Is No Blood Or Heartbeat Present Until
Sometime During The Third Week Of Pregnancy.
Here is the early timeline of fetal development, from Pro-Life America, an
anti-abortion organization. It shows that the first heartbeat occurs at
the eighteenth day after conception, and that blood is pumped at the
twenty-first day.
Day 1 - conception takes place.
7 days - tiny human implants in mother's uterus.
10 days - mother's menses stop.
18 days - heart begins to beat.
21 days - pumps own blood through separate closed circulatory system
with own blood type.
28 days - eye, ear and respiratory system begin to form.
42 days - brain waves recorded, skeleton complete, reflexes present.
7 weeks - photo of thumbsucking.
Source: http://www.prolife.com/FETALDEV.html
THEREFORE the Bible does not prohibit terminating pregnancy before the
first heartbeat, during the third week after conception. Thus the
so-called "morning-after pill" and other soon-after-conception methods of
birth control are not prohibited by the Bible.
# # #
From The Moment Of Conception? No.
Human life does not begin at the moment of conception. This belief is a
Church tradition only, not supported anywhere in Scripture.
I have before me the official "Catechism Of The Catholic Church," and I am
looking at the sections on abortion, sections 2270-2275, which begin with
the statement, "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from
the moment of conception."
Scripture agrees with this concept entirely, except the part about "moment
of conception." The "moment of conception" idea is doctrine of man, with
no Scriptural foundation. In the sections on abortion, there are only four
references to Scripture, but eleven references to the writings of men.
Here are the four references to Scripture, none of which even mentions
"conception."
Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before
thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I
ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Job 10:8-12 (KJV)
8
Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round
about; yet thou dost destroy me.
9
Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the
clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
10
Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like
cheese?
11
Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced
me with bones and sinews.
12
Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation
hath preserved my spirit.
Psalms 22:10-11 (KJV)
10
I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from
my mother's belly.
11
Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none
to help.
Psalms 139:15 (KJV)
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in
secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the
earth.
Yes, human life must be protected, from the moment it begins. But when is
that? Whenever it is, it is not the moment of conception.
Scripture distinguishes three stages of pregnancy: conception, "in the
womb," and birth.
"As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from
the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception."
(Hosea 9:11 KJV)
Conception is when pregnancy begins, but it is not when life begins. "The
life is in the blood," is a major concept throughout Scripture, as shown
here =>
https://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1C2CHNU_enUS398&source=hp&rlz=1C2CHNU_enUS398&q=%22Life+is+in+the+blood%22&pbx=1&oq=%22Life+is+in+the+blood%22
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