A Modern Equivalent of Child Sacrifice

1 A Modern Equivalent of Child Sacrifice Abortion is a modern equivalent of child sacrifice. Just as God's people opposed Pharaoh's decree to murder new-born boys in Egypt (Exodus 1:15-22) so we need to protect pre-born babies from abortion today. Just as King Herod sought to kill babies in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16), so abortionists are attempting to butcher babies today.

Life Begins at Conception
The sanctity of human life is an essential article of the Christian faith. The Bible makes it clear that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 44:2; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41). The unborn baby is then genetically, physiologically and organically a distinct person. At that moment life begins. At about three weeks after conception, the baby's heartbeat can be detected. Six weeks after conception the baby has it's own lifelong brainwave. If the absence of a brainwave is considered a sign of death, why then is the presence of this brainwave not accepted as confirmation of life? Birth is not a magical act that turns a non-human into a person. Birth is only a change in an environment for a life that began many months before. Every abortion stops a beating heart. Every abortion ends a brainwave. Every abortion is the murder of a helpless and innocent person. If we do not stand up and oppose abortion, then the blood of innocent babies will be upon our heads (Ezekiel 33:1-6). As Christians, we must love our neighbour - and this includes our pre-born neighbours.

2 A Modern Equivalent of Child Sacrifice Duties Required
The Westminster Larger Catechism lists under the Duties Required in the Sixth Commandment: The duty to preserve our own life (Ephesians 5:28-29); the duty to preserve the life of others (1Kings 18:4); and the duty to resist all thoughts and purposes and subdue all passions, which tend to the unjust taking away of anyone's life (Jeremiah 26:15-16; Acts 23:27). "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:26-27 (Proverbs 1:10-15; Genesis 37:21).

The Sixth Commandment also requires the duty of just defence against violence (Proverbs 24:11-12) "Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:4"So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die." 1 Samuel 14:45

The duty to comfort the distressed and to protect and defend the innocent (1 Thess. 5:14; Matthew 25:35; Proverbs 31:8-9).

3 A Modern Equivalent of Child Sacrifice Sins Forbidden
Under the Sins Forbidden in the Sixth Commandment, the Westminster Larger Catechism identifies:

The sin of neglecting, or withholding, the lawful and necessary means for the preservation of life (Matthew 25:42-43; James 2:15-16; Ecclesiastes 6:1-2).
The sin of unjustified anger (Matthew 5:22).
The sin of hatred "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." 1 John 3:15
The sin of envy "Envy is rottenness to the bones." Proverbs 14:30
The sin of desiring revenge "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to God's wrath; for it is written 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay', says the Lord." Romans 12:19
It covers the sins of quarrelling, striking and wounding (Galatians 5:15; Proverbs 23:29; Numbers 35:16-18).
The Sixth Commandment "You shall not murder" is a very broad Commandment, requiring many duties and forbidding many sins. Negatively, it forbids every unlawful injury inflicted upon our own, or our neighbour's, person. Our neighbour may be injured by our neglecting him, or by our not assisting him, according to our abilities. Again, we may injure our neighbour by external force or violence, or we may also break this Commandment internally by anger, hatred or desire for revenge.

4 A Modern Equivalent of Child Sacrifice Protecting the Innocent
Positively, the Sixth Commandment requires the preservation of our own and our neighbour's, life and safety. This is done by rendering prompt assistance to others, or by protecting them from injuries in the spirit of mercy and good neighbourliness. “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Deliver those who are drawn toward death and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” Proverbs 24:10-12

March for Life 1 Feb 2022 March for Life 2022
Every year, on the anniversary of the legalisation of abortion on demand in South Africa, Africa Christian Action organises the March for Life to parliament, followed with a Prayer vigil and Repentance service outside the gates of parliament. Our March for Life this year, will be on Tuesday, 1 February. The March for Life is in the form of a Funeral Procession, in which we take a walk through the centre of town to Parliament. The procession will gather at the Hanover St. (old Keizergracht St.) parking lot below Cape Peninsula University of Technology and march down Darling Street, past the Castle and City Hall, left into Adderley Street, left into Spin Street, then right into Plein Street to assemble outside the gates of Parliament. The march will start at 12:30 pm. Please dress in black for a greater impact to accentuate the need for national repentance and bring your own water. We will provide

placards and crosses for you to carry. “Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words…” Proverbs 1:20-22

View the March For Life video, which promotes the March for Life 2022.
To view the Stand for Life video, click here
To listen to a related From the Frontline Podcast, The Leading Cause of Death in the World Today, click here
To listen to a related Salt & Light on Radio Tygerberg programme, click here
To join the march for life Facebook Event click here
To join the sanctity of life Sunday Facebook Event click here
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves."Proverbs 31:8

Dr. Peter Hammond