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Season 2, Episode 12
For Tuesday, August 18, 2015
“Scientific Proof that the Fetus is Human”
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Episode Transcript:
Welcome to The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ has created in you. I’m Robert Hatfield, and here is today’s scripture:
“If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life (Exo. 21:22-23).
The accidental termination of a pregnancy (as a result of men fighting near a pregnant woman) was punishable by death: “life for life.” If God exacts that kind of punishment for an accidental death of an unborn child, then what would He think today of the intentional, premeditated murder of millions of unborn children?
There is abundant evidence which proves that the inhabitant of the womb is unique human life. Therefore, that life must be respected and protected. Today, let’s look at some scientific proof of the life of the unborn child.
When does life begin? The answer, unquestionably, is at conception. The male and female gametes join to form the zygote, which will eventually grow into a fetus. It is at that moment – at conception – that a new body begins to form.
The first day after fertilization, all human chromosomes are present. Unique life has begun. Early in the second day, the embryo undergoes a process known as gastrulation. During this process, the single-layer embryo turns into a three-layered gastrula consisting of ectoderm (which will form the outermost layer of the skin), mesoderm (which will form tissues associated with support, movement, transportation, and reproduction), and endoderm (which will produce structures associated with breathing and digestion). On the sixth day after conception, the embryo begins implanting in the uterus.
Is it alive? Of course it is alive! It is the result of a living male gamete united sexually with a living female gamete. If it isn’t alive, then why does it need to be aborted?
- The baby’s heart begins beating around 18-25 days after conception.
- His or her eyes, legs, and hands begin to develop during the fifth week.
- Brain waves are detectable, along with the mouth, lips, and fingers during the sixth week.
- His or her eyelids, toes, and nose form at week seven, and the child kicks and swims.
- By the age of two months, everything is “in place” – feet, hands, head, organs, even fingerprints! Although the child is less than in inch long, he or she has a head with eyes and ears, a simple digestive system, kidneys, liver, a heart that beats, a bloodstream all his or her own, and the beginning of a brain.
- The baby hiccups, sucks his or her thumb, wakes, and sleeps.
- The baby responds to touch, pain, cold, sounds, and light.
So is the child alive? Does anything dead respond that way!?
Let’s wrap it up: The inhabitant of the womb is human life, distinct from his or her mother. We’re talking about another human being!
Statistics show that around 93% of abortions are performed out of convenience rather than for health risks. Does a woman who is carrying a baby have the right to terminate that child’s life because she doesn’t want the child? Because the child is inconvenient? Let me ask you this: Is an unwanted baby any less human simply because it is unwanted? Of course not.
If we respect human life, then we cannot be “pro-choice.” If we love God, then we cannot be “pro-choice.”
Memory Verse: Psalm 139:14 is this week’s verse. Let’s internalize it and use it in our discussions about what the Bible says regarding abortion.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well (Psa. 139:14).
Thanks for listening to The New You. For more information about this show and the other work that we do on The Light Network, visit thelightnetwork.tv. You’ll also find us on Facebook and Twitter. Just search for “The Light Network.” Please subscribe to The New You in iTunes on in your favorite podcast app to automatically receive each new episode. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review the it in iTunes.
Are you attending Polishing the Pulpit this year? If so, be sure to stop by The Light Network’s booth in the exhibit hall (EH2) sometime throughout the week! For more information about our booth and some meet ups that will be taking place, visit thelightnetwork.tv/ptp2015. I’ll look forward to seeing you there!
The Bible has said all along that the fetus in the womb is human life. Let’s look at biblical evidence that what is in the womb is human life – and it should be respected! That’s tomorrow on The New You.
