Once you’ve listened to our video message above, please re-read the NC Baptist 2023 Resolution on Equal Protection
1) WHEREAS Scripture unequivocally declares every child in the womb is made in God’s image and is entitled to equal protection under the law, and Scripture furthermore explicitly forbids all murder, commands civil magistrates to bear the sword of justice without partiality, and commands each of us to love our neighbors as ourselves with particular regard for orphans, widows, and those in weak societal positions; and (Gen. 1:27, Ex. 21:22-25, Gen. 9:6, Ex. 20:13, Lev. 19:15, Ps. 82:3, Mrk. 12:31)
2) WHEREAS as a part of the Great Commission our Lord Jesus has commanded us to make disciples of all nations and teach them to observe all things He has commanded, and since God has decreed “You Shall Not Murder” not one single created being has the authority to transgress, add to, detract from, or pervert this eternal decree and those who do should immediately repent and believe the Gospel; and (Matt. 28:19-20, Rom 11:33, Deut. 4:2, Jas. 1:17-18, 1 Jn. 3:4-6)
3) WHEREAS since 1974 the number one cause of death annually in North Carolina continues to be legalized abortions happening in accordance with current North Carolina laws; and since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there has been slow political resolve to see abortion outlawed in North Carolina; and (Isa. 10:1-3, Jas. 4:17, Hab. 1:2-4, Rom. 13:3-4, Job 34:10-21, Prv. 25:26)
4) WHEREAS North Carolina Baptists, NC Baptist Executive Leaders and the Christian Life and Public Affairs Committee of the NC Baptist Board of Directors have fought for the value of the preborn through the funding and placement of five ultrasound machines in pregnancy resource centers throughout NC just since 2022; and North Carolina Baptists and Baptist churches and have been engaged in the fight for preborn life through support of pregnancy resource centers, engagement in adoption and foster care initiatives, involvement in legal advocacy at the local, state, and national level, and investment in varieties of local ministries engaged with valuing all life from the womb to tomb; now therefore, be it (Deut 30:19, Ps 119:73, Ps. 139:13-16, Is. 44:24)
5) RESOLVED that we as the messengers of the BSCNC meeting November 6-7, 2023 in Greensboro, NC, will advocate for the equal protection of the preborn and justice under our laws, that we will not stop in our legal efforts until the day when abortion is both illegal and unthinkable; and be it further (1 Cor. 5:6-7, Ps. 89:14, Mic. 6:8, Prv. 31:9, 2 Tim. 4:2, Acts 10:42, Acts 20:27, Mrk. 13:10)
6) RESOLVED that we humbly confess and lament holding any mindsets that legitimize or justify abortion, that we humbly confess and lament any apathy in not laboring with the power and resources granted to us by God to act for the preborn and to end legalized abortion in its entirety, and that we humbly confess and lament any lack of grace and compassion for all those participating in and impacted by abortion whose greatest need is the grace and forgiveness ofJesus; and be it further (Ps. 51:10-12, Ps. 119:97-104, Rom. 12:9-12, Rev. 3:15-16, Eph. 5:16, Gal. 6:9, 1 Jn. 3:18)
7) RESOLVED that we, our churches, and our ministries must love both our born and preborn neighbors by continuing steadfast in our commitment to pursue pure and undefiled religion toward both mothers and children prayerfully, financially, and in practice through pregnancy resource centers, counseling, fostering, adopting, direct interposition where possible, and other available means; and be it finally (Jas. 1:27, Eph. 2:10, 1 Jn. 3:16-18, Heb. 13:16, Matt. 6:1-4, Jer. 22:3)
8 ) RESOLVED that establishing equal justice and protection under our laws for the preborn children of North Carolina, from fertilization to birth, will be among the top priorities of ourselves, our churches, and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.