In light of the recent discussion and controversy over the subject of abortion within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, its explicit support for abortion in its official publications, and the practice of the same within its healthcare system, we at Seventh Day Fellowship desires to make known our position on the taking of life in general, and abortion in particular, with the following affirmations:
We believe human life is a gift of Almighty God and is, therefore, sacred. It is the responsibility of all Christians, especially healthcare practitioners, to respect the sanctity of life. (Exo 20:13; Deut. 30:19; Mat 5:21, 22)
We believe human life begins at the very second of conception...(Psalm 139:15; Jer 1:5)
We believe human life belongs to God; thus, no person is at liberty to take human life at any stage of life, from conception until death. (Eze 18:4; Exo 20:13; Luke 1:41, 44)
We believe abortion, for any reason, whatsoever, is defined as murder by the Bible, notwithstanding its legal status within various nation-states and territories around the world.
(Exodus 1:16, 17; 20:13; 21:22)
We believe for one human to decide to take another human’s life is an act of putting oneself above the law of God and, therefore, making oneself God. The Bible defines this as blasphemy. (Exo 21:21; 22:2, 3; Mat 26:52; 1 Tim 1:13, 20) We believe healthcare practitioners, in particular physicians, are subject to the edict, “do no harm,” and thus, are to be the foremost protectors of the unborn. A failure to uphold this high responsibility warrants nothing less than removal from the profession.
We believe, notwithstanding the reasons many who normally reject abortion might give for its practice—for example, rape, incest, and the life of the mother—God’s wisdom and law must prevail: To take matters into one’s own hands, again demonstrates a lack of trust and man making himself God.
We believe it is important to understand, however, those who have had an abortion for these, or other reasons, are not outside the mercy of God’s forgiveness. Through repentance, confession, and consecration, God’s grace, through the impartation of His spirit, is sufficient to redeem the individual. Moreover, a child born as a result of such a situation can indeed receive God’s strength to live a life of victory in Christ.
The gravity of this matter cannot be overstated. God’s remnant people cannot be participating in any practice contrary to His character, and neither should we fellowship with those who continue to participate in the destruction of the most innocent of God's little babies... (Eph 5: 8) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Isa 8:20). We must be completely surrendered and trust that God is in control and will work out all things both to will and to do of His good pleasure. May the LORD grant us wisdom, as we seek to provide an answer for the hope that lies within us, with meekness and with fear, regarding this issue, as well all controversial subjects that may come our way. Amen.
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