Biblical and Adventist Perspectives on Abortion and Apostasy

Abortion is a grave sin that is categorized as a fiendish endeavor and a murderous work, and it is never sanctioned as a legitimate or allowable practiceHR November 1, 1871, par. 24+1. The sanctity of life is a foundational principle established by God, and any intentional destruction of the unborn is a violation of His holy lawBHOTV2 100.1+1.

The Sacredness of Life and the Sin of Abortion

The following points outline the consistent stance regarding the protection of the unborn and the consequences of violating this sacred trust:

• A Violation of God's Law: The command "Thou shalt not kill" applies directly to the protection of life in its origin, as life is sacred in itself Exodus 20:13BHOTV2 100.1. Abortion is described as a "fiendish endeavor," a "base crime," and a "devlish practice" that brings the stain of terrible sin upon the souls of those involvedSOAP 100.2.

• The Murderous Nature of Fashionable Evils: Practices such as tight lacing and following worldly fashions can lead to the "murderous work" of causing accidental or premature loss of a child, for which a mother may need to repentHR November 1, 1871, par. 24+1.

• A Mark of Moral Decay: History shows that the toleration of abortion, alongside the exposure and murder of newly-born children, is a specific sign of deep corruption and religious decayLTJMB2 186.1+1.

• Consequences for the Parents: The sin of destroying a child lies at the door of both parents; fathers are often accessory to the crime by inducing or forcing the conditions that lead to itSOAP 100.2.

• Physical and Moral Ruin: Beyond the moral guilt, this "unnatural crime" frequently ruins the mother's health and generative organs, often resulting in permanent injury or death as a penalty for the sinSOAP 100.2.

Biblical and Spiritual Principles

The standard of true godliness requires a complete departure from the corruptions of the world and a commitment to holinessST July 22, 1908, par. 10+1.

• The Responsibility of Mothers: A Christian mother is called to give her offspring physical vitality and to avoid any habits that might sacrifice the life of her childHR November 1, 1871, par. 24+1.

• Purity of Character: Those who are doers of the Word will reflect the light of purity and true piety, standing in opposition to the "theft, adultery, and sacrilege" promoted by deceptive philosophiesFW 116.2+1.

• Judgment for the Guilty: God is a revealer of secrets and a judge of all actions; He will in no wise clear those who treat the destruction of life as a matter of little consequence Daniel 2:47RH March 20, 1888, par. 4+1.

• The Call to Repentance: While the sin is grievous, the only path for those who have departed from God's truth is to see, confess, and repent of their course of action so that the Lord may pardon20MR 313.3+1.

In summary, there are no circumstances presented where the intentional ending of a pregnancy is viewed as anything other than a violation of the sanctity of marriage and the holiness of lifeLTJMB2 186.1+1. True believers are urged to seek the renewing power of the Holy Spirit and to walk in the path of unsullied purity, following the pattern of holiness set by ChristGC 296.4+2.

If a church allows the practice of abortion, which is identified as a "devilish practice" and a "base crime," it places itself in a state of spiritual peril and apostasySOAP 100.2+1. Moving away from the high standard of holiness and the sanctity of life causes a church to lose its spiritual vitality and favor with God19MR 176.1+1.

The Condition of a Church that Compromises

A religious body that validates sin while professing to follow God risks being identified with the fallen systems of the world:

• Loss of Divine Favor: If a commandment-keeping people possess no more consecration than the nominal churches and go on in sin, they do not stand in favor with God and will receive of the plagues19MR 176.1.

• The Mark of Babylon: Remaining connected to the world and its corrupt practices, such as abortion and the violation of the sanctity of marriage, means one is still carrying the "Babylonish garment" regardless of their church nameLTJMB2 186.1+1.

• Spiritual Ruin through Alliances: The spiritual ruin of any church is often due to forming friendships with the world and letting down the standard of holinessAMS May 1, 1890, page 144.6.

• A Hardened Conscience: When small neglects of principle are allowed to grow, the conscience becomes unimpressible and hardened to larger sins12LtMs, Ms 2, 1897, par. 34.

The Standard of Holiness Required

God's requirements for His people are absolute and do not change based on modern circumstances:

• The Unchangeable Law: God's holiness and His requirements for purity are not to be treated as of little consequence, as He will in no wise clear the guiltyRH March 20, 1888, par. 4.

• A Call to Separation: Believers are to be a "peculiar people" whose blameless deportment and unswerving faith serve as a reproof to the sinners and the ungodlyGC 46.2.

• Purity in Word and Deed: The church is to be the light of the world, and this light is only maintained when members represent Christ in character and life Matthew 5:14HM October 1, 1892, par. 3.

• A High Standard of Piety: God calls for a depth of piety and a "depth of holiness" that many have not yet known, requiring a total separation from the corruptions of the world9MR 1.1+1.

Divine Judgment and Accountability

God keeps a faithful record of the works of every person and institution15MR 328.3+1.

• The Final Warning: The third angel’s message is the last message of mercy, and those who have had great light but walk contrary to it will be spewed out of God’s mouth unless they repent2SM 66.2+1.

• Accountability of Leaders: Those who occupy positions of trust must be actuated by the love and fear of God; otherwise, the sacred and common become mingled, and the Lord is dishonoredRH February 27, 1894, par. 8.

• The Necessity of Repentance: The Lord reproves and chastens His church not to cause it to perish, but to restore and approve it at last through humble confession and the clearing away of sinTM 22.2.

In God's eyes, any person or organization that handles the truth but is not sanctified by it faces fearful woes4bSG 59.3. The only safety is to "press together" in the unity of the Spirit and to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Corinthians 7:1GRC 38.3.

A person should not remain in connection with a church that has departed from the Lord and joined itself to the world, as God calls His people to come out of such organizationsGCB/GCDB 1893, page 92.4+1. When a church forsook the Lord and joined itself to earthly power, it became a part of Babylon, and the divine command is to separate from her sins to avoid her plagues Revelation 18:4-52SM 118.2+1.

The Call to Separate from Apostasy

The history of the church is a history of apostasy from God, and in every age, those who chose to obey the Word were forced to leave apostate organizations to worship God in truthPTUK May 3, 1894, page 277.8.

• Following the Example of the Reformers: God called people out of Rome through Luther and others because that church had joined herself to Caesar to exalt a false sabbathGCB/GCDB 1893, page 92.4+1.

• The Final Warning: In the last days, the second and third angels' messages proclaim the fall of modern churches that have become corrupt and world-loving Revelation 14:82SM 118.2+1.

• The Danger of Association: No man or church can associate with a pleasure-loving class and still reveal that they appreciate the rich current of truth the Lord has sent14MR 127.3.

• Divine Instruction to Leave: When the church went into the wilderness due to corruptions, the true people of God were crowded into obscurity; today, God is calling them out to keep His commandments fullyTBI 168.4+1.

The Nature and Results of Apostasy

Apostasy occurs when a church turns its back on the Lord and puts its trust in the power of men and earthly governmentGCB/GCDB 1893, page 92.4+1.

• Joining to Caesar: Just as the Jewish church rejected Christ for Caesar, modern apostate churches join with earthly powers to enforce man-made institutions, such as a false sabbathGCB/GCDB 1893, page 92.4+2.

• Loss of Spiritual Power: Churches that reject the message of truth lose the presence of the Holy Spirit and become "a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" Revelation 18:214MR 127.3+1.

• Mingling with the World: When those who profess to follow Christ mingle with worldlings and adopt their practices, apostasy is the inevitable resultRH May 13, 1890, par. 5.

• National Ruin: When a nation's religious leaders influence the state to enforce laws that bind the conscience, national apostasy will be followed by national ruin7BC 977.2+1.

Maintaining Personal Faith and Integrity

In times of surrounding apostasy, the individual's duty is to adhere strictly to the Word of God and the example of ChristPTUK August 30, 1894, page 550.17+1.

• Personal Accountability: Every person is created as a free citizen of the world and is obliged to inquire for themselves into the means of attaining everlasting happiness rather than blindly following priestsSBBS 394.1.

• A Separate People: God designed for His people to be separate from the world in spirit and practice to escape the prevailing corruptions of the ageCD 22.3+1.

• Gathering Strength from the Ordeal: While the church may appear about to fall during the sifting time, the remnant who purify their souls by obeying the truth will gather strength amid the surrounding apostasy7BC 911.6.

• The Power of God: Those who stand for God in the face of earthly opposition must possess a power greater than all the power of the world—the power of the Holy SpiritGCB/GCDB 1893, page 121.2.

Ultimately, the Lord is calling men to return to His Word and to a life of loyal obediencePTUK August 29, 1895, page 549.4. Those who remain in union with organizations that have made void the law of God place themselves in great peril, for the time has come for the Lord to work against such rebellion Psalms 119:126GCB/GCDB 1893, page 121.2+1.