We believe that life begins at conception. When a live sperm and egg have united, a new soul is created, the physical body has started to form, and God's spirit of life starts moving through the soul and body. These three parts necessary to life (spirit, soul and body - 1Th.5:23) are present at that time; so, a new life has started.
Since we believe that life begins at conception, the main scriptural basis for our church's teaching on abortion is from Exo.20:13, "Thou shalt not kill." The new testament scriptures did not change that commandment (Mar.10:19, Jam.2:11). Jesus, who is to be our example, followed that commandment also (Luk.9:56).
We teach and counsel anyone who is a member of our congregation or who asks us about abortion that "Thou shalt not kill," so to that extent we are "pro-life". God's laws and commandments only apply, however, to God's people. Who are God's people? Those who seek to have God as their father; those who seek to be a spiritual Jew whose heart has been circumcised of all sin (Rom.2:28,29). If people want to "do their own thing," (the opposite of Isa.58:13) then they want the world's views and only man's laws (not God's) apply to them . Currently man's laws say that abortion is legal. If the only laws that one has to govern themselves are man's laws, then that's what they follow. We teach that our church members should follow man's laws as long as they are consistent with God's laws. In the case of abortion, man's law says it's legal and God's law says it's a sin. So we are taught to follow God's law and to not have abortions or permit abortions for our children under our care.
We also teach, however, that "The Lord [Jehovah God] is very pitiful and full of tender mercy" (Jam.5:11). God being the merciful God he is, knows that people make mistakes ╤ sometimes knowingly and sometimes ignorantly. Many people have been taught that life does not begin at conception, that abortion is just another form of birth control, or that the unwanted unborn child is just another problem to be gotten rid of. All of these things are lies, of course, but those lies can make one ignorant of God's commandments. We believe that someone who has no depth of knowledge of God's commandments and who has an abortion is not eternally judged to death. We also believe that God is able to preserve the soul of the unborn baby and that man is only able to kill the body and not the soul (Luk.12:4).
We also teach "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Mat.7:1). Abortion is a sin that many people have committed or participated in. God does not want us to harshly judge them or turn away from them. He wants us to be merciful and loving at all times. He does not want us to create more hell or hurt to those who are ignorant of God's laws. God does not want us to picket, harass or harm anyone at all ╤ even those who are breaking God's laws. If that was the case, we should be picketing and harasssing shoplifters, adulterers and liars too! Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery and thou shalt not bear false witness are also part of God's commandments.
God did not send Jesus to this earth to condemn sinners: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (Joh.3:17). Jesus obeyed and did not condemn people who sinned (Joh.8:11). The same instructions apply to us - do not condemn people for sinning.
The conflict between the pro-choicers and the pro-lifers could be solved in this manner: Let them line up in two lines. When an unwanted pregnancy happens, one of the pro-lifers should volunteer to adopt that child. This way the pro-lifers would be putting their money where their mouth is!! There would be no need of another unwanted pregnancy turning into an abortion!
Many people have been taught to view abortion as just another form of birth control. In fact, some governments promote that same false idea. But abortion involves killing a living body; and not all birth control does that. God does not condemn all forms of birth control. Any form of birth control which prevents conception (a new life) from happening is acceptable. This means that some forms of "the pill" or other medicines that prevent the egg from being released from the ovaries are fine; those are truly contraceptive (against conception). Physical barriers such as condoms and diaphragms are fine and their effectiveness is enhanced when spermacides are used at the same time. The rhythm method and other forms of "Natural" Family Planning are fine for those women who are very regular in their monthly cycles. However, these methods are less reliable, largely because it is very unnatural not to have sex when the egg is present. Intrauterine devices may only keep a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb, so they would not be acceptable.
There are no scriptural references to any form of birth control. When the scriptures were written, today's methods had not yet been invented. So no scriptures can be quoted regarding "the pill" one way or another.
From the beginning, God wanted to share his eternal love and kindness with many creatures, so he made mankind with the desire and the physical capacity to have sexual relations and procreate. Scripturally, the instruction was to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" (Gen.1:28; 9:1). But God could only share his love with mankind when they would serve him and keep his com-mandments; this was the whole duty of man (Ecc.12:13). God has always put quality over quantity so he does not desire just a larger population. He especially does not want children produced through sinful sexual practices; nor does he want them produced when parents have no means to care for them.
In the Old Testament times, having children was seen as a form of "blessing" from God, picturing the spiritual blessings the Jews could receive if they kept God's commandments (Heb.10:1). This did not mean God liked mothers more than women without children. God is not a respecter of persons (Rom.2:11).
At the time of Christ, God emphasized mankind producing a Christ child in their mind more so than having physical children. He did not command people to have children just to increase the size of the early church. The spiritual conception, growth and development of "Christ in you" would enable one to "worship the Father in spirit and in truth" (Col.1:27, Gal.4:19, Joh.4:23,24). Prior to marriage, God commanded people not to have sexual relations with anyone. Marriage was not condemned, but emphasis was placed on working in the ministry. During marriage, the general counsel was to not abstain from sexual relations (1Co.7:4,5) and at that time that generally meant having children and therefore less time for God's ministry.
At this time, God doesn't need more quantity (5 billion people is more than enough). Throughout the world, numbers of people are not cared for physically or spiritually. God wants us to have quality of life, both physically and spiritually. He wants people to have the time and energy to devote to loving him and loving their neighbors as they learn to love themselves (Mat.22:37-39).
The choice to have or not have a child should be an informed, personal one. Ideally, people would not have children until they were economically and emotionally prepared to be parents! A top priority for any parent is the care of their children and giving their children opportunities to learn about many things. A lot of time is required to do this well. Some couples may choose to either not have children or to limit the size of their family in order to have more time to devote to a ministry work. For those who have made this very personal choice, some form of birth control is necessary. God wants us to know that this option is not a sin. Our choices should be made prayerfully, considering God's will.
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Have You Ever Wondered...
1. Who am I?
2. Why am I here? What╒s my purpose in life?
3. Why do I do things I don╒t want to do?
4. How did this world we live in get into the awful condition it is presently in?
5. Can I ever really know and understand God? or will he always remain a mystery to me?
6. Why does God let bad things happen? Isn╒t he Almighty?
7. Who should I pray to? Am I really praying to the right person? Should I be praying to God, or Jesus? or are they one and the same person?
8. Why do people have to die? Is this what God intended?
9. What happens to us after death?
10. What happens to good people who die having never heard of Jesus?
11. Is suicide really a solution to anyone╒s problems?
12. What happens to the souls of people who have committed suicide? Are they lost eternally?
The above are common questions that most of us have had at some point in our life. These questions deserve to be answered! If you would like answers to any or all of the above questions, call or write to the address below, or circle any or all of the above questions and fill in your name & address on the back-side of page & mail it to us!
If there is any particular Bible topic that you are interested in please feel free to contact us and we will answer your request. Fill out the form below and drop it in the mail to us:
THE WORD church
Outreach Ministry
Route 2, Box 137
Moberly, MO 65270
Please print your name, address, and a self addressed #10 stamped envelope so that we can send you the answers.
