BiblicalInsights.net

     Kathleen Parker wrote an interesting article in the Columbus Dispatch September 2, 2008 entitled, “There should be no debate about when life begins.”  She was writing about recent comments made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who stated that “…I don’t think anybody can tell you when life begins…”  Pelosi was defending a woman’s right to choose and thus abort her unborn child. 
     Later, in the same article, Parker quotes from American medicine’s most prominent human embryology text, The Developing Human, concerning the beginning of human life.  I thought this quote was very informative and I am passing it along to you. Here it is, “Human development begins at fertilization when a male gamete or sperm (spermatozoon) unites with a female gamete or oocyte (ovum) to produce a single cell–a zygote.  This highly specialized, totipotent cell marked the beginning of each of us as a unique individual.” (reference: www.dispatch.com).  “In other words, life begins at conception” (Parker).
     Biblical proof of this fact is recorded in Luke 1:41,44.  In Luke 1:36, Mary is told by Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, that Elisabeth had conceived a son in her old age.  Later, Mary visited with Elisabeth.  When Mary entered the house of Elisabeth, she greeted her.  Verse 41 states, “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.”  Verse 44 contains part of the statement made by Elisabeth on that occasion.  She said, “For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”  This “babe” was John the baptist.  The baby was already named (Luke 1:13), described (Luke 1:15) and commissioned (Luke 1:16-17).  Also, John was “filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15).  This is remarkable biblical testimony as to when life begins!  Surely, there is no question either theologically or scientifically about this most important event.  Human life begins at conception.  The ramifications of this fact are tremendous.  Are we willing to accept this truth and act in accordance with it?