The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-W, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 25."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1983. All Rights Reserved.

Questioner

I was wondering, is a soul a soul, including a mind, intellect, and will, at the point of conception, and if so, what happens to babies that are aborted?


John MacArthur's Answer

I think the answer to that is yes. I believe that when God creates life, He creates life. And, I believe, that life begins at conception, and, therefore, personhood begins at conception. John the Baptist, in his mother’s womb, it says, was filled with the Holy Spirit. And, you remember that the babe in the womb leaped for joy? You remember, David said, “In sin did my mother conceive me”? So, on the one hand, you have embryos or fetuses that are filled with the Spirit, and on the other hand, you have a sinful fetus. That indicates personhood. That indicates responsibility. That indicates that there’s soulishness there, there’s life there, there’s spirit there. If you push me to the wall on this, and this is kind of my opinion. If you study the narrow gate passages, narrow gate, narrow way, few that there be that find it. It may well be that Heaven will be more populated by the mortality rate and the abortion rate, than it will be by faith. Because, I believe, that when children die, at any point in time after personhood is initiated, they go to be with God. And, that we may find that Heaven has a lot of those people, and, maybe, that’s why mortality rates are so high in non-Christian countries.


Questioner

Just to finish, so, a woman that has had an abortion and now is saved, [what] could I tell her?


John MacArthur's Answer

Well, that’s my belief, because Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And, I believe, that it is within God’s design that He redeems those who don’t know their right hand from their left hand [Jonah 4:11]. And, that’s a sign of infancy. And, He takes them to be with Him.


Questioner

That’s comforting for a person whose gone through it. That’s great!


John MacArthur's Answer

Yes! Listen, the Old Testament says He gathers the little lambs in His bosom and gently leads those that are with young. So, I believe, God cares for those.


Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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