The Baby in My Womb Leapt for Joy-

Noel Merrick

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The Baby in My Womb Leapt for Joy-

The aim of this message is to awaken and intensify your joyful, grateful reverence for the gift of human life from conception to eternity.

from conception to eternity. The beginning of human life is a magnificent thing. There is nothing else like

it. Only humans come into being day after day, created in the image of God, and live forever—with God or

The beginning of human life is a magnificent thing.

There is nothing else like it. Only humans come into being day after day, created in the image of God, and live forever—with God or in hell.

in hell.

There is no compelling evidence in the Bible or anywhere else that any animals come into being with souls, or that they live after they die. There is no compelling evidence in the Bible or anywhere else that angels are being created today. The only being in all the universe who keeps on originating and then living forever in the image of God is man.

or that they live after they die. There is no compelling evidence in the Bible or anywhere else that angels

are being created today. The only being in all the universe who keeps on originating and then living forever

in the image of God is man.

God’s Image After the Fall and Flood

In the beginning, says, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Then says, “Adam . . . fathered a son in his ow likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.” This was to show that the image and likeness of God i passed on from generation to generation. It was not just the first pair who were in the image of God.

him; male and female he created them.” Then says, “Adam . . . fathered a son in his own

Genesis 1:27 KJV 1900

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.” This was to show that the image and likeness of God is

Genesis 5:5 KJV 1900

5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

passed on from generation to generation. It was not just the first pair who were in the image of God.

Then in , Noah is warned by God, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” Even after all the wickedness, which was punished by the flood, the image of God is retained in man. Damaged, distorted, but stupendously real.

shed, for God made man in his own image.” Even after all the wickedness, which was punished by the

Genesis 9:6 KJV 1900

6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

flood, the image of God is retained in man. Damaged, distorted, but stupendously real.

God’s Image Today

Then says,

who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these

From the first man and woman to each succeeding man and woman down to our own day, when human life begins the image of God begins. Eternal existence begins. That is why I say that the beginning of human life is a magnificent thing.

things ought not to be so.” From the first man and woman to each succeeding man and woman down to our

James 3:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

own day, when human life begins the image of God begins. Eternal existence begins. That is why I say that

the beginning of human life is a magnificent thing.

” ()

you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that

you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and

Psalm 8:3–6 KJV 1900

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:

crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your

hands.” ()

So I pray that this message will awaken and intensify your joyful, grateful reverence for the gift of human life from conception to eternity.

life from conception to eternity. The beginning of human life is a magnificent thing—it is the only newly

The beginning of human life is a magnificent thing—it is the only newly originating life in the universe that is in the image of God. It is the only newly originating life in the

originating life in the universe that is in the image of God. It is the only newly originating life in the

universe that lasts forever. O what amazed and happy reverence we should feel for the beginning of every human life!

human life!

A,Our Premier Trapped and Blinded

As everyone knows, our Premier, , does not share this reverence for the beginning of human life. She is trapped and blinded by a culture of deceit. ,

beginning of human life. She is trapped and blinded by a culture of deceit. On the 36th anniversary of Roe v.

Wade, he said, “We are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive

she said, “We are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters.”

freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family

matters.”

To which I say . . .

• No, Miss Premier, you are not protecting women’s health; you are authorizing the destruction of many thousands tiny women every year.

half a million tiny women every year.

• No,Miss Premier , you are not protecting reproductive freedom; you are authorizing the

destruction of freedom for a million helpless people every year.

• No, Miss Premier, killing our children does not cease to be killing our children no matter how many times you call it a private family matter. Call it what you will, they are dead, and we have killed them. And you, Miss Premier, would keep the killing legal.

many times you call it a private family matter. Call it what you will, they are dead, and we have

killed them. And you, Mr. President, would keep the killing legal.

. We will pray for you. And may God grant that there arises in your heart an amazed and happy reverence for the beginning of every human life.

you. And may God grant that there arises in your heart an amazed and happy reverence for the beginning of

every human life.

Wonder in the Womb

This is Sanctity of Life Weekend at Bethlehem, and we are talking about the wonder of human beings in the womb, and the moral question of whether it is right to kill them before they are born. Until recently, there never has been any doubt in the mind of the Christian church that such killing is wrong. Among the earliest sources for Christian thinking outside the New Testament (the beginning of the second century), the Didache and the Epistle of Barnabas both forbid abortion.

the womb, and the moral question of whether it is right to kill them before they are born. Until recently,

there never has been any doubt in the mind of the Christian church that such killing is wrong. Among the

earliest sources for Christian thinking outside the New Testament (the beginning of the second century), the

Didache and the Epistle of Barnabas both forbid abortion.

You shall do no murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not corrupt boys, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not deal in magic, you shall do no sorcery, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born. (Didache 2:2; cf. Epistle of Barnabas 19:5)

shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not deal in magic, you shall do

no sorcery, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born. (Didache

2:2; cf. Epistle of Barnabas 19:5)

Why did the early church, and all succeeding generations of Christians, come to this conclusion—that it is forbidden to take the life of the unborn? We have already seen the root of this conviction:

forbidden to take the life of the unborn? We have already seen the root of this conviction: When a human

When a human life comes into existence something magnificent has happened—created in the image of God, to live forever.

life comes into existence something magnificent has happened—created in the image of God, to live

forever.

God Gives, God Takes Away ()

Job 1:21 KJV 1900

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Another pointer for the church was that the Bible says God has sovereign rights over birth and death.

When Job’s children were killed by a wind that destroyed their house, Job fell on his face and worshiped God and said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” ().

Job’s children were killed by a wind that destroyed their house, Job fell on his face and worshipped God

The Lord gave—they were conceived and born by God’s act—that’s his prerogative. The Lord took—that’s his prerogative. Not ours. So the church has always shrunk back from intruding on the rights of God. He gives; he takes. Birth and death are his to grant, not ours.

and said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (). The

Lord gave—they were conceived and born by God’s act—that’s his prerogative. The Lord took—that’s his

Job 1:21 KJV 1900

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.

prerogative. Not ours. So the church has always shrunk back from intruding on the rights of God. He gives;

he takes. Birth and death are his to grant, not ours.

God Forms Persons ()

Psalm 139:13 KJV 1900

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

Another pointer was the profound conviction that what is happening in the womb is God’s unique and sacred person-forming work. puts this in terms of God’s very hands-on work in the womb:

sacred person-forming work. puts this in terms of God’s very hands-on work in the womb:

Psalm 139:13 KJV 1900

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

“You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” This is God’s doing. Not ours. It is his to make. And his to end. (See also .)

Job 31:13–15 KJV 1900

13 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, When they contended with me; 14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? 15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?

ours. It is his to make. And his to end. (See also .)

A Glimpse into the Womb ()

But the pointer for the church that I wanted to focus on today is a glimpse into the womb that we get at several places in the Bible. Let’s look at . The situation is that Elizabeth and Mary are both given a child in the womb. Both pregnancies are miraculous. Elizabeth because she is too old, and she had always been barren. She becomes pregnant with John the Baptist. And Mary, because she is a virgin. But the Holy Spirit comes upon her, and she becomes pregnant with Jesus, the Son of God, who would one day die for our sins and rise again.

several places in the Bible. Let’s look at . The situation is that Elizabeth and Mary are both given a

Luke 1 KJV 1900

1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 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: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him From generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, And exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, In remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, To Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; For he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, Which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, And from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, And to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, All the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord To prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people By the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

child in the womb. Both pregnancies are miraculous. Elizabeth because she is too old, and she had always

been barren. She becomes pregnant with John the Baptist. And Mary, because she is a virgin. But the Holy

Spirit comes upon her, and she becomes pregnant with Jesus, the Son of God, who would one day die for

Luke 1:24–26 KJV 1900

24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

our sins and rise again.

Verse 24: “After these days [Zechariah’s] wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden.” Then in verse 26, Luke says, “In the sixth month [that is, the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin.” So when Mary becomes pregnant Elizabeth is about 24 weeks along in her pregnancy.

hidden.” Then in verse 26, Luke says, “In the sixth month [that is, the sixth month of Elizabeth’s

pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin.” So when

Mary becomes pregnant Elizabeth is about 24 weeks along in her pregnancy.

Nothing Impossible with God

In verses , the angel says to Mary, to encourage her that her impossible pregnancy really can come true, “And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” So be encouraged, Mary, nothing is too hard for God. Witness the pregnancy of Elizabeth. O how often in these circumstances of pregnancy and infertility we need to be reminded, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” He gives, he takes, he provides in abundance, he sustains in loss.

true, “And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth

month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” So be encouraged, Mary,

Luke 1:36–37 KJV 1900

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

nothing is too hard for God. Witness the pregnancy of Elizabeth. O how often in these circumstances of

pregnancy and infertility we need to be reminded, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” He gives, he

takes, he provides in abundance, he sustains in loss.

When the angel had gone, and Mary knew what was happening to her, she made a beeline to Elizabeth. What a consultation this would be: two of the most important and impossible pregnancies in the world.

What a consultation this would be: two of the most important and impossible pregnancies in the world.

Look at verses 39–44:

()

and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard

the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the

Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and

Luke 1:39–45 KJV 1900

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 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: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my

Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears,

the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” ()

Now, of course, none of this is being written with abortion in mind. That’s not the point. The point is: How did texts like these shape the way the church thought about the unborn? What were the assumptions here and the implications here?

did texts like these shape the way the church thought about the unborn? What were the assumptions here

and the implications here?

Notice two things.

1. The Word Baby

First, the word baby in verses .

Verse 41: “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.”

Verse 44: “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

baby leaped in her womb.” Verse 44: “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the

That word baby is not a specialized word for the unborn. It has no connotations of “embryo” or “fetus.”

It is the ordinary word for baby (Greek brefos). And what makes this crystal clear and significant is the way it’s used in .

Here in , it refers to John the Baptist in the womb. In , it refers to Jesus in the manger. : “And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby (brefos) lying in a manger.” This is exactly the same word for baby.

Luke 1:41–44 KJV 1900

41 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: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

baby in my womb leaped for joy.” That word baby is not a specialized word for the unborn. It has no

Luke 2:16 KJV 1900

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

connotations of “embryo” or “fetus.” It is the ordinary word for baby (Greek brefos). And what makes this

Luke 1 KJV 1900

crystal clear and significant is the way it’s used in . Here in , it refers to John the Baptist in

Luke 2 KJV 1900

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart In peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

the womb. In , it refers to Jesus in the manger. : “And they went with haste and found

Luke 2:16 KJV 1900

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Mary and Joseph, and the baby (brefos) lying in a manger.” This is exactly the same word for baby.

What the Christian church has seen in this is that what the persons Jesus and John were outside the womb they were already inside the womb. Jesus was the God-man in Mary’s womb. When the Holy Spirit (according to ) caused Mary to be pregnant, she was not pregnant with anything less than the Son of God. The baby inside was the same as the baby outside.

they were already inside the womb. Jesus was the God-man in Mary’s womb. When the Holy Spirit

(according to ) caused Mary to be pregnant, she was not pregnant with anything less than the Son

Luke 1:35 KJV 1900

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

of God. The baby inside was the same as the baby outside.

Today science has only made that easier to believe, not harder. Ultrasound technology has given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking,responding to sound.

window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking,

responding to sound. All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is

All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Yet virtually all abortions happen later in the pregnancy than this date.

making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Yet virtually all abortions

happen later in the pregnancy than this date.

2. Treated as a Person

The second thing to notice here in is the way the baby in Elizabeth’s womb responded to Mary who was carrying the Son of God.

was carrying the Son of God. Verse 41: “When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in

her womb.” Then in verse 44, Elizabeth interprets that leap like this: “Behold, when the sound of your

greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” And Luke says that Elizabeth said this

Verse : “When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” Then in verse , Elizabeth interprets that leap like this: “Behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” And Luke says that Elizabeth said this because she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Verses : “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed . . .” In other words, the Holy Spirit prompted her to say that this leap of the baby in her womb was a leap of joy.

because she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Verses 41–42: “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and

Luke 1:41 KJV 1900

41 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:

she exclaimed . . .” In other words, the Holy Spirit prompted her to say that this leap of the baby in her

Luke 1:44 KJV 1900

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

womb was a leap of joy.

Luke 1:41–42 KJV 1900

To increase the significance of that leap even more, consider what an angel said to Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah before his son was conceived.

Zechariah before his son was conceived. In , the angel said, “And you will have joy and

gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink

wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” So that leap

In , the angel said, “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord.

Luke 1:14–15 KJV 1900

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

is not only a leap of joy but a leap of Holy-Spirit-inspired joy.

And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” So that leap is not only a leap of joy but a leap of Holy-Spirit-inspired joy.

Only Persons Are Filled with the Spirit

What shall we make of this? Never in the Bible is any animal said to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

does the Bible say that a person’s arm or leg or kidney or skin is filled with the Spirit. Tissue is not filled

Never does the Bible say that a person’s arm or leg or kidney or skin is filled with the Spirit.

with the Holy Spirit. Only persons are filled with the Spirit.

Tissue is not filled with the Holy Spirit. Only persons are filled with the Spirit.

What Luke is doing—and he is doing it as the spokesman of Christ—is treating this child in the womb as a person.

person. He uses the word baby which he later uses for Jesus in the manger. He uses the word joy, which is

what persons feel. He uses the phrase “filled with the Spirit” which is what God does to persons. He simply

He uses the word baby which he later uses for Jesus in the manger.

He uses the word joy, which is what persons feel.

assumes he is dealing with a human person in the womb.

He uses the phrase “filled with the Spirit” which is what God does to persons.

He simply assumes he is dealing with a human person in the womb.

And therefore so should we.

Amazed at the Gift of Children

The beginning of human life is a magnificent thing.

It is the work of God. It is the forming of a human person in God’s own image who will live forever. Let there be at Bethlehem, and beyond, a joyful, grateful reverence for the gift of human life from conception to eternity.

person in God’s own image who will live forever. Let there be at Bethlehem, and beyond, a joyful, grateful

reverence for the gift of human life from conception to eternity. Never cease to be amazed at the gift of

The Baby in My Womb Leapt for Joy-

The Baby in My Womb Leapt for Joy-

God’s Image After the Fall and Flood

God’s Image Today

So I pray that this message will awaken and intensify your joyful, grateful reverence for the gift of human life from conception to eternity.

The beginning of human life is a magnificent thing—it is the only newly originating life in the universe that is in the image of God. It is the only newly originating life in the

universe that lasts forever. O what amazed and happy reverence we should feel for the beginning of every human life!

A,Our Premier Trapped and Blinded

As everyone knows, our Premier, , does not share this reverence for the beginning of human life. She is trapped and blinded by a culture of deceit. ,

she said, “We are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters.”

To which I say . . .

• No, Miss Premier, you are not protecting women’s health; you are authorizing the destruction of many thousands tiny women every year.

• No,Miss Premier , you are not protecting reproductive freedom; you are authorizing the

destruction of freedom for a million helpless people every year.

• No, Miss Premier, killing our children does not cease to be killing our children no matter how many times you call it a private family matter. Call it what you will, they are dead, and we have killed them. And you, Miss Premier, would keep the killing legal.

. We will pray for you. And may God grant that there arises in your heart an amazed and happy reverence for the beginning of every human life.

Wonder in the Womb

Why did the early church, and all succeeding generations of Christians, come to this conclusion—that it is forbidden to take the life of the unborn? We have already seen the root of this conviction:

When a human life comes into existence something magnificent has happened—created in the image of God, to live forever.

God Gives, God Takes Away ()

Another pointer for the church was that the Bible says God has sovereign rights over birth and death.

When Job’s children were killed by a wind that destroyed their house, Job fell on his face and worshiped God and said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” ().

The Lord gave—they were conceived and born by God’s act—that’s his prerogative. The Lord took—that’s his prerogative. Not ours. So the church has always shrunk back from intruding on the rights of God. He gives; he takes. Birth and death are his to grant, not ours.

God Forms Persons ()

Another pointer was the profound conviction that what is happening in the womb is God’s unique and sacred person-forming work. puts this in terms of God’s very hands-on work in the womb:

“You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” This is God’s doing. Not ours. It is his to make. And his to end. (See also .)

A Glimpse into the Womb ()

Nothing Impossible with God

Now, of course, none of this is being written with abortion in mind. That’s not the point. The point is: How did texts like these shape the way the church thought about the unborn? What were the assumptions here and the implications here?

Notice two things.

1. The Word Baby

Verse 41: “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.”

Verse 44: “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

That word baby is not a specialized word for the unborn. It has no connotations of “embryo” or “fetus.”

It is the ordinary word for baby (Greek brefos). And what makes this crystal clear and significant is the way it’s used in .

Here in , it refers to John the Baptist in the womb. In , it refers to Jesus in the manger. : “And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby (brefos) lying in a manger.” This is exactly the same word for baby.

Today science has only made that easier to believe, not harder. Ultrasound technology has given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking,responding to sound.

All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Yet virtually all abortions happen later in the pregnancy than this date.

2. Treated as a Person

The second thing to notice here in is the way the baby in Elizabeth’s womb responded to Mary who was carrying the Son of God.

To increase the significance of that leap even more, consider what an angel said to Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah before his son was conceived.

In , the angel said, “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord.

And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” So that leap is not only a leap of joy but a leap of Holy-Spirit-inspired joy.

Only Persons Are Filled with the Spirit

What shall we make of this? Never in the Bible is any animal said to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Never does the Bible say that a person’s arm or leg or kidney or skin is filled with the Spirit.

Tissue is not filled with the Holy Spirit. Only persons are filled with the Spirit.

What Luke is doing—and he is doing it as the spokesman of Christ—is treating this child in the womb as a person.

He uses the word baby which he later uses for Jesus in the manger.

He uses the word joy, which is what persons feel.

He uses the phrase “filled with the Spirit” which is what God does to persons.

He simply assumes he is dealing with a human person in the womb.

And therefore so should we.

Amazed at the Gift of Children

The beginning of human life is a magnificent thing.

It is the work of God. It is the forming of a human person in God’s own image who will live forever. Let there be at Bethlehem, and beyond, a joyful, grateful reverence for the gift of human life from conception to eternity.

Never cease to be amazed at the gift of life—the gift of children.

The Children

Do you hear the children crying?

I can hear them every day,

Crying, sighing, dying, flying

Somewhere safe where they can play.

Somewhere safe from all the dangers,

Somewhere safe from crack and AIDS,

Safe from lust and lurking strangers,

Safe from war and bombing raids.

Somewhere safe from malnutrition,

Safe from daddy’s damning voice,

Safe from mommy’s cool ambition,

Safe from deadly goddess, Choice.

Do you hear the children crying?

I can hear them every day,

Crying, sighing, dying, flying

Somewhere safe where they can play.

Do you see the children meeting?

I can see them in the sky,

Meeting, eating, meeting, greeting

Jesus with the answer why.

Why the milk no longer nourished,

Why the water made them sick,