When life begins

The science of embryology establishes that from the earliest stages of development, the unborn are distinct, living, and whole human beings.

► UNIQUE—meaning the embryo is not a part of his or her mother, but genetically distinct from her; possibly having a different blood type, for example

► LIVING—the embryo is growing, developing, undergoing metabolism at a rapid pace; also responds to stimuli

► COMPLETE—everything needed for development is already present; the person simply needs time to grow

► HUMAN—living things always produce after their own kind, so humans beget only complete, unique humans

While the early embryo does not look like a newborn infant or an adult, it does look exactly as a developing human should at that stage. "Embryo" and "fetus" are simply stages in a span of life that includes other stages—such as "infant," "toddler," "adolescent," and "adult."

Scripture teaches that all human beings have value because they bear the image of their Maker (Genesis 1:26-28, James 3:8-10). Because humans bear the image of God, the shedding of innocent blood is strictly forbidden (Exodus 23:7, Proverbs 6:16-19, Matthew 5:21). We are never to kill innocent human beings.

Abortion is the intentional killing of an innocent human being. The same passages in Scripture that forbid the shedding of innocent blood apply to the unborn as to every other human being at any stage.

Image by Vic_B on Pixabay