Chapter 2 – Since John the Baptist was Truly Human From Conception, Every Embryo is Too: What Does the Bible Really Teach About Abortion?
Jesus Christ being truly human from conception is really the only argument we need to rebut the notion that embryos are “clumps of cells,” but that’s not all the Bible has to say. It also teaches that John the Baptist was truly human from the moment of conception.
Gabriel Brings Good News
Luke begins his Gospel with the history of Zechariah and Elizabeth. He was a priest and she was a daughter of Aaron. They were both godly and wanted children, but she was barren and they were elderly (Luke 1:5-7).
One day, when Zechariah was serving in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him. Like Mary, he was scared but Gabriel told him to not be afraid because God had answered his prayer. His barren wife would have a son, and he would be called John. John would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. In the spirit and power of Elijah, he would make the people ready and prepare the way for the Lord (Luke 1:8-17).
Zechariah, instead of believing God’s word, doubted God, questioning how He would do this since he and his wife were both elderly. Gabriel replied that he stood in God’s presence in heaven and was sent by God to tell him this good news. Due to Zechariah’s unbelief, Gabriel struck him mute until John was born (Luke 1:18-23, 64).
Just as the angel said, Elizabeth conceived and hid herself for five months. She was happy that the Lord took away her barrenness and the reproach of the people due to it (Luke 1:24-25).
Elizabeth Conceives a Son
Around six months after Gabriel prophesied to Zechariah, the angel went to Mary to bring her good news as well. After telling Mary she would give birth to Jesus, he said, “Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren” (Luke 1:36): two miraculous births, John and Jesus, of two relatives, Mary and Elizabeth.
