I have heard people say that abortion is NOT murder because "personhood does not exist prenatally." But what does the Bible say?

   The Bible teaches that murder is the intentional killing of an innocent person (cf., Genesis 4:8; Numbers 35:16-20). And what men call "fetal tissue" in the womb of a woman (mother), the Bible calls "a child", hence a person. Note this scripture:

   Genesis 25: 21-21: "...and Rebekah conceived. But the CHILDREN struggled together WITHIN her... there were twins in her womb." Children they are, says God, even while prenatal (before birth).

   Men with their words seek to make a distinction between what is inside and outside the womb. God doesn't. In Luke 1:41, we read, "...when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the BABY leaped IN HER WOMB." In Luke 2:16, we read, "And they came in haste and found... Mary and Joseph, and the BABY as He lay IN THE MANGER." The word "baby" in Lk.1:41 and 2:16 are from the SAME Greek word, "brephos." So again, the Lord makes no distinction between what is inside or outside the womb, either way it's life-a person.

   Furthermore, God recognizes the value of the child in the womb to be as important as the child after birth. In Exodus 21:22-25, God instructed the Israelites that if a physical assault on a pregnant woman caused premature birth, the assailant would be punished to the SAME degree or injury or death of her child.

   Even without knowledge of all its gruesome procedural details, abortion is plainly murder. Because what is intentionally killed IS an innocent person, and in this case, a child. God's prophet Jeremiah said, "My mother would have been my grave," had he been killed in the womb (20:17,18).

   Fortunately, by obedience to the gospel of Christ there is mercy, forgiveness and peace of mind which God will give to those who have received, performed or encouraged abortion (Matthew 11: 28-29; Acts 2:38).