There are six things which the LORD hates,

Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that run rapidly to evil,

A false witness who utters lies,

And one who spreads strife among brothers.

– Proverbs 6:16-17

By Pastor Tedd Mathis*

I BELIEVE that human beings are the intentional, unique, image-bearers of God and are preeminent beings among His creation (Genesis 1, 2; Psalm 8:3-8). I deny that humans are a result of time and chance.

I BELIEVE that beginning at conception each human possesses inherent dignity (Psalm 139:13-16).

I deny that human dignity is progressive or regressive. Human dignity does not become so through development in the womb, nor is dignity enhanced with mental or physical abilities or diminished by lack of mental or physical capacities or abilities.

I BELIEVE that human life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Psalm 51:5). At the moment of fertilization, a baby is fully and truly a human, needing only the proper environment to grow and develop. The difference between an adult human and a preborn human is not one of nature but of size and form. 

I BELIEVE that, since life begins at conception, the baby in the womb is deserving of legal consideration as a person no less than a developed human being out of the womb is deserving of legal consideration as a person (Exodus 21:22-23; Genesis 25:23; Galatians 1:15). This must be so because they equally share of the same nature.

I deny “personhood” is assigned at a certain stage of development or is something that accrues.

I BELIEVE that the rights of one human party are not permitted to usurp the rights of another; especially when that another cannot defend or speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9; Psalm 82:1-4). Furthermore, I believe that the responsibility to protect human life does not reside with any one person or institution but with every citizen interested in the preservation of a humane and lawful society.

I BELIEVE that someone’s “right” to choose is not inalienable when the exercise of such a right negatively impacts the liberty and wellbeing of another party (in this case, the wellbeing of an unborn child). I believe that the health of the infant is no more or less important than the health of the woman who carries them and must be treated as equal in the eyes of the state (Leviticus 19:15; John 7:24). 

I BELIEVE that the means of pregnancy — whether voluntary, unexpected, or forced — does not change the reality that a life exists and must therefore be protected (Exodus 4:11; Psalms 139:13-16; Proverbs 31:8-9; Psalm 82:1-4. Though I acknowledge the challenge and trauma that certain situations present, I believe that the compounding of sins (i.e., pregnancy as a result of rape or incest ‘solved’ by murder of the baby) is not a valid solution.

I BELIEVE that the taking of life by murder is forbidden by nature, law, and the Scriptures (Genesis 9:6; Romans 1:28-32; 2:14; Exodus 20:13). I believe elective abortion is murder and should be considered and judged as evil by all governments (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-4; I Peter 2:14).

I reject labeling abortion as reproductive health care. Wording that cloaks the atrocity of murdering babies using chemical poisoning, or dismemberment, as beneficial to women, their future, or society, is evilly deceptive only deserving of God’s wrath.

I BELIEVE that persons involved with the sin of abortion and all the other sins inevitably intertwined with murder, can receive full forgiveness from their Creator (Isaiah 55:7). God is a pardoning God, and delights to be merciful to those who repent and turn to Him (Micah 7:18-20). Upon repentance and fleeing to Christ alone for refuge, “though your sins be as scarlet,” God will wash you whiter than snow (Isiah 1:18). Through His grace and forgiveness accomplished in the cross of His Son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:25), God will not hold your sins against you. To those who repent and turn to Him, He can and will assist you as you seek to walk in obedience to Him – no matter how daunting such obedience may seem in the moment (Ephesians 3:20). 

WHAT IS STATED ABOVE is rooted in the eternal, infallible, authoritative, and sufficient Word of God of the sixty-six books of the Bible (II Timothy 3:13-4:5). May it refute those who contradict and suppress the truth of God, bring repentance to those who defy Him, and build up the faith of those chosen of God in the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness (Titus 1:9; 1:2).

*Adapted from Hill City Baptist Church’s (Ontario, Canada) statement on abortion, Hill City Baptist Church Statement on Abortion (substack.com)