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Amazing Grace

"Amazing Grace" was written by John Newton, a former slave trader, in 1779. The song grows in significance as you learn about the transformation of the man who wrote it. 

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The Story Behind "Amazing Grace"

A long time ago, on a regular day in England, an old sailor sat down to pen some words.

Children were coming to his church that night to learn from the Bible, so he composed the weekly song for them to sing.

The old sailor is John Newton, born in 1725, and he’s writing “Amazing Grace.”

In his song we hear an echo of his past: “Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come.”

Were you to peer deep into this man’s history, you’d see his mom’s early death, you would agree with his fellow sailors that he had altogether lost his moral compass, you’d hear the creak of wet wood on slave ships, you’d hear the grisly moans of human cargo, you’d taste salt and smell sweat, and you’d wish what you saw were only a dream—

You’d see Newton trading slaves.

Continue looking and you will be surprised to see a changed man, a new man tendered by mercy, broken and reformed by remorse.

See, God set this slave trader free.

You will learn that in a violent storm God awakened Newton’s conscience with a Bible verse from Proverbs. You will find that during that storm, a new love for God was born in the heart of Newton and that once he picked up the Bible again, he could never put it down. 

Newton found forgiveness and hope in “the incomparable riches of his [God’s] grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7 NIV).

He left the slave ships to set other guilty souls free. He realized that God sent his own Son to die for the sins of men, so that people like himself might not suffer hell for their crimes. And that Son, Jesus, rose from the dead, giving new life to all who believe in him and turn from their sin.

Forgiveness and new life of peace with God, Newton knew, was free and undeserved, open to any “wretch” who believe in the promise of God.

For the forgiveness of Jesus Christ depends not on our work, but on his work and his word.

Before God, we are all criminals. But this song, bled out of Newton’s burdened heart, would offer us a wonderful truth—that God delights in chasing after and transforming sinners.  

. . .

by Bibles.net

Theme Verse
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
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Amazing Grace Phone Wallpaper

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The History of Amazing Grace

Lyrics Written
John Newton wrote the lyrics to Amazing Grace. He was an English sailor and slave trader turned pastor, hymn writer, and abolitionist.
Lyrics Published
John Newton and William Cowper published a collection of hymns called "Olney Hymns," which included "Amazing Grace."
Author Dies
Newton, the author of "Amazing Grace," lived to see the passing of the Slave Trade Act in 1807 and died only months after.
Music Composed
American songwriter William Walker published Newton's poem accompanied by his melody "New Britain."
Verse Added
Harriet Beecher Stowe added a seventh verse to Amazing Grace that begins “when we’ve been there ten thousand years...” in her anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Song Titled
Evangelist DL Moody gave Newton’s Hymn the title “Amazing Grace.”
Popularity of the Song
Judy Collin's version of the song spent 75 weeks in the UK pop music charts, peaking at number five.
Impact
Over 1,000 versions of the song have been recorded, including pop, country, folk, R&B, jazz, rock, and blues renditions.
1772
1779
1807
1835
1852
1875
1970-1972
Today
The Story Behind the Song
Article: 7 Min

Can a Slave Trader
Be Forgiven?
The Story Behind
"Amazing Grace"

by Bibles.net
Article: 10 Min

God Saved a Wretch Like Him

by John Piper at Desiring God

Quote

I am a great
sinner 
and
Christ is a great

Savior.

John Newton
Verse
ACTS 20:24 ESV

 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 

Verse
GALATIANS 1:15-16 NLT

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. 

Verse
TITUS 2:11-14 NKJV

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for himself his own special people, zealous for good works.

Image

Who am I, O LORD God…
that you have brought me thus far?  

1 Chronicles 17:16 ESV
King David’s Prayer
Chapter

LUKE 15: A REBEL RETURNS HOME 

“I once was lost but now am found”
Chapter

JOHN 9: JESUS HEALS A MAN BORN BLIND

“I once was blind but now I see”
Quote

The Lord has promised
good to me,

His word my
hope secures;

He will my shield
and portion be

As long as life endures.

John Newton
Quote

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life
shall cease;

I shall possess,
within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

John Newton
Songs
"Amazing Grace" Playlist

Discover various covers of the hymn “Amazing Grace”!

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
by Chris Tomlin | Contemporary
Amazing Grace
by Jadon Lavik | Folk | Indie
Amazing Grace
by Oslo Gospel Choir | Gospel
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
by Shane & Shane | Contemporary
Amazing Grace
by Soweto Gospel Choir | Gospel
Amazing Grace
by The Tenors feat. Natalie Grant | Contemporary
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Books
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