River Bluff Church believes that every human life is sacred, valuable, and worthy of protection because every
person is created in the image of God.

In His Image
The claim that human life is valuable, even sacred, has its foundation in God’s creation of humankind: “So God
created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him” (Genesis 1:27). This truth imparts
extraordinary value to every life, independent of gender, race, socioeconomic position, age, or health status.
Those who hold to biblical creation must attach great worth to human life and will stand in its defense.

The intrinsic value of human beings is confirmed by God’s expression of love in the sacrifice of His Son who
paid the price for human sin and transgression. God rightly claims ownership of those He has purchased: “Do
you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20).

Human life is a gift from God and God is the author and giver of life. Scripture declares, For you created my
inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13). God knows and values human
beings even before birth (Psalm 139:14-16; Jeremiah 1:5). Therefore, we affirm the sanctity of life from
conception through natural death.

Positions on abortion, euthanasia, and suicide:

Abortion
Because God is the giver and author of life, we believe unborn children are human lives worthy of protection
and care (Exodus 20:13; Psalm 106:37-38; Luke 1:41-44). Abortion is intentionally ending the life of an unborn
child and is contrary to God’s design and purpose for human life. At the same time, we desire to respond to
men, women and families facing difficult pregnancies or have been impacted by abortion with compassion,
practical support, grace, and hope found in Jesus Christ.

Euthanasia
River Bluff Church believes that life is a gift from God and that He alone has ultimate authority over life and
death (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6; Job 1:21). God forbids the claims of others against our lives and
also forbids our own claims against our lives. Murder is condemned in the Bible in the severest terms (Genesis
9:6; Deuteronomy 5:17). Suicide, the deliberate killing of one’s self, finds no support in the Bible, and the few
cases recorded there imply divine displeasure (1 Samuel 31:4; Matthew 27:5).

Scripture calls us to care for those who are suffering, provide comfort to the dying, and show compassion to
those facing serious illness, but we do not believe it is our place to intentionally cause or hasten a person’s
death. Therefore, River Bluff Church does not support euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. We believe
appropriate medical care, pain management, hospice, and allowing the natural process of dying to occur can
be consistent with honoring the dignity of life while recognizing that medicine is not required to prolong life by
every possible means.

Suicide

River Bluff Church believes that every human life has God-given value and purpose, including lives marked by
profound suffering, despair, or mental and emotional anguish (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16; Ephesians
2:10). Because God is the author and giver of life, we do not believe that intentionally ending one’s own life is
consistent with His purposes for us (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 32:39). We also recognize that people who
consider or die by suicide may be experiencing overwhelming pain, impaired judgment, or circumstances that
are difficult for others to understand. Therefore, we seek to respond with compassion rather than
condemnation, offering prayer, practical support, professional help, and the hope of Christ to those who are
struggling. We entrust those who have died to the mercy and justice of God and reject shame or condemnation
toward grieving families.