Abortion

This document reflects commonly held beliefs based on scripture which have been endorsed by the church's
Commission on Doctrinal Purity and the Executive Presbytery.

Why does the Assemblies of God oppose abortion?

The Assemblies of God is unashamedly pro-life. Even though a United States Supreme Court decision legalized
abortion in 1973, abortion is still immoral and sinful. This stand is founded on the biblical truth that all human
life is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). From that truth issues the long-standing Christian view that
aborting the life of a developing child is evil.

Those who defend abortion claim that an unborn child in the early stages of development is merely fetal tissue,
not a person. But neither science nor medicine can declare an arbitrary time during pregnancy when human life
begins. The Bible indicates that human life begins at conception (Job 31:15, Psalm 139:13-16). Because of the
sacredness of human life, the matter is settled by theological statement of Scripture, not by a medical
determination of viability outside the mother’s womb.

There is a Christian alternative to abortion. Instead of terminating the life of the unborn child, the newborn can
be placed for adoption by loving Christians. Adoption is a concept authored by God, for all Christian believers
have been adopted into the family of God. By choosing to give birth to her baby rather than having an abortion,
the birth mother spares the life of a child created in the image of God.

CONCERNS:

Some professing Christians use unchristian methods to oppose abortion. But we must never forget the priority
God places on His spiritual and material creation. The soul and where it will spend eternity is of primary
importance. Believers must recognize God also loves those who are proabortion, so we must show compassion
also. Yet, at the same time, we must try to halt the horrendous murder of innocents in our country.

Just stopping abortions is not enough. The church must show compassion and support toward those who carry
their child to birth but do not have the needed resources or an awareness of adoption options.

Because of the advances in medical science, very few mothers today die in pregnancy or childbirth. Yet in some
infrequent cases saving the life of the child or of the mother may mean the death of the other. If after prayer for
God’s intervention, the problem is not resolved, consultation with attending pro-life physicians will be helpful
in arriving at the proper conclusion.

The above statement is based upon our common understanding of scriptural teaching. The official delineation of
this position is found in the Assemblies of God position paper, "Sanctity of Human Life: Abortion and
Reproductive Issues,".

All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise specified.