Life Begins at Conception
God, says that life in the womb is just as valuable as our lives; without specify at what stages of a pregnancy. We know this, because He tells us that if you kill a baby in the womb, on purpose, or by being violent with a pregnant woman, and you had evil intent, you get the death sentence.
Exodus 21:22-25
22 ¶ If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, 24Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
But, the question remains, when does this law apply? When is a woman considered to have life within her womb? Life, of course, being when a human spirit has been created by God, to inhabit the new body. I've always believed that life begins at conception, and even if I didn't have proof, it's certainly a "safe" view to have. The alternative is to believe it begins at some specific point, and then decide that it's okay to abort the baby before that time, and become a murderer if you are wrong.
So, I was reading the OT law, and I was reading through the story of Abraham and Sarah, when I stumbled upon the passages talking about Sarah not being able to have children, and how God was going to give her a child.
Genesis 18:10
10And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
Remember, Sarah was very old by this time, and her womb had never been able to produce children, for whatever reason. So, obviously she needed a miracle from God, having never had children, and presumably being in her 90's.
What is the "time of life"?
- Well, it's not the day of birthing, because God doesn't need to visit her at that time, as the baby is already on it's way.
- It would stand to reason that it is at the time of conception, as that is the time when the miracle is needed, in order for it to take hold in her womb.
So, if you proclaim to be a Christian, and you think for one minute that you can get away with murdering your baby, at any stage, perhaps it's time to think again.
