ABORTION
FBC Athens has been an active and supportive member of “Texas Baptists” since its inception in 1886. We send messengers to the annual meeting and a portion of our missions giving is dedicated to the Texas Baptist Budget. We are a key member of the Texas Baptist Relief ministries.
Texas Baptists have spoken consistently to the theological issues of our day, and further, the Texas Baptist organization has representatives in Austin helping to advocate for positions that Baptists hold.
These statements reflect the general feeling of Baptists over the last 40 years on the issue of abortion.
The Baptist General Convention of Texas has taken repeated stands regarding the sanctity of life. Messengers to BGCT annual meetings have clearly stated their position regarding related issues, including abortion.
1980: The BGCT reaffirmed the view of Scripture on the sacredness and dignity of all human life, both born and unborn, and supported legislation prohibiting abortion except to save the life of the mother or in cases of incest or rape.
1982: The BGCT repeated the above resolution and also resolved to support legislation that would prohibit the practice of infanticide.
1986: The BGCT encouraged all Texas Baptist institutions, cooperating churches and members to work diligently to support counseling, housing, adoption placement services and appropriate health care for women in crisis pregnancy, emphasizing a reconciled relationship with Jesus Christ.
1991: The BGCT urged Texas Baptists to oppose the practice of elective abortion and to communicate effectively the biblical instructions concerning sexual responsibility and sanctity of life.
1996: The BGCT urged Texas Baptists to continue to publicly oppose any type of abortion as a means of birth control.
1997: The BGCT approved a motion to condemn partial birth abortion.
1998: The BGCT expressed support for legislation that would require parental consent 48 hours before any abortion could be performed on a minor child. The BGCT also resolved that Baptists teach our children the values and biblical mandate of chastity before marriage, the sanctity of life and the tragedy and sin of elective abortion.
Abortion on demand is forbidden by the policies of all Texas Baptist hospitals. Pastoral care departments make available counseling and other forms of assistance. BGCT hospitals and partnering hospitals do not endorse nor do they participate in the abortion process. According to the records of the last 30 years, there have been no elective abortions performed in Texas Baptist hospitals.
Evangelist Billy Graham and other Christian ministries have expressed the same or very similar positions regarding abortion as the BGCT.
The BGCT not only speaks against abortion but also encourages and assists ministries that make possible alternatives to abortion.
Some Texas Baptist churches sponsor crisis pregnancy centers, which provide Christ-centered pregnancy testing, prenatal care, and counseling in areas of finance, adoption and abortion alternatives, making referrals to residential crisis pregnancy and birthing centers where available. Texas Baptists also help churches with local ministries to assist families who choose alternatives to abortion.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. Psalm 127:3
“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb…Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” Psalm 139:12-16
Prepared by Ferrell Foster
Director, Ethics & Justice, Christian Life Commission
At the time he prepared these remarks, he was a member of FBC Athens and one of our Bible Teachers.