Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 9/15/2010

Question
The SBC says: A human being comes into the universe at conception....any idea what Scripture supports this view??

Answer
Hi Dewey,

Thank you for this great question.  I would guess that there are a couple of verses that could do that.  One of the most powerful verses speak of sin nature being possessed upon conception.  Non humans do not have a spiritual nature.

Psalm 51:5
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

We also see that Baby John the Baptist was filled with the holy ghost before birth.  The same argument of a fetus having a spiritual nature applies here also.

Luke 1:41-44
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.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I am not sure what the SBC folks were thinking but these are verses I would use to prove that statement.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don