Is the song “Amazing Grace the personal testimony of John Newton, once a slave trader?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I’m “amazed” that the world accepts the song “Amazing Grace,” with its strong testimony of people being lost sinners and being saved by God’s amazing grace. Is this the personal testimony of John Newton, once a slave trader? – A.G.
A: In an English village, not far from Oxford and Cambridge, is a 14th-century church. In the corner of the churchyard is a large tombstone with these words inscribed:
“John Newton, Clerk; once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was by the rich mercy of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”
Newton was the son of a sea captain who was engaged in the Mediterranean trade. His mother died when he was 6, and after only two years of formal schooling, he joined his father’s ship at the age of 11. His early life was one of immorality, debauchery, and failure, rejected by his father, in trouble with his employers, and finally jailed.
This miserable seaman was brought to his senses by reading the book “ Imitation of Christ”. His conversion was the result of a violent storm in which he almost lost his life. Newton became a minister and gave the rest of his life to serving God in the church. It was during this time that Newton wrote his own testimony – "Amazing Grace.”
God’s grace has been defined as “His undeserved favor.” It was this grace that reached out to Newton. When he learned that Christ loved him and had died for him, he was amazed. It was this grace that made him conscious that he was a sinner (“grace taught my heart to fear”) and then assured him that his sins were forgiven (“grace my fears relieved”). While many people sing the words, they don’t understand the message, but this grace is available to us all.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2024 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2024 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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