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John Newton was born in 1725 to a Puritan mother who died when he was 7. He had a stern seafaring father and his youth was spent in traveling the sea and learning to drink as a salior.
John Newton (1725–1807) wrote the words from an extraordinary encounter with God.
He was what we would call a reprobate, a totally immoral person, corrupt and perverted. He was conscripted into service in the Royal Navy and was so corrupt, he tried to desert. His debased demeanor caused him to be demoted to common sailor. After leaving the service and having no moral conviction, he became involved in the slave trade in the Atlantic. In 1748, God got his attention through a violent storm that battered his vessel off the coast of Ireland during which his ship almost sank. He prayed to God for mercy and God saved him and his ship. He began reading the Bible and was convicted of his sinful lifestyle and repented. He considered this experience with God as marking his conversion to Christianity, but he continued slave trading until 1754 or 1755. Newton began studying Christianity and under deep conviction eventually gave up his slave trade. God caused such a drastic change in his life that 10 years later he was actually ordained into the Church of England(1764). He became priest in a small congregation where he began to write hymns to accompany his messages. With poet William Cowper "Amazing Grace" was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year's Day of 1773. It is unknown if there was any music accompanying the verses; it may have been chanted by the congregation.
It was not until 1788, 34 years after leaving it that he renounced his former slaving profession by publishing a blazing pamphlet called “Thoughts Upon the Slave Trade.” The tract described the horrific conditions on the ships and Newton apologized for making a public statement so many years after participating in the trade: “It will always be a subject of humiliating reflection to me, that I was once an active instrument in a business at which my heart now shudders.” The pamphlet was so popular it was reprinted several times and sent to every member of Parliament. Under the leadership of MP William Wilberforce, the English civil government outlawed slavery in Great Britain in 1807 and Newton lived to see it, dying in December of that year.
"Amazing Grace" became a popular song used by Baptist and Methodist preachers as part of their evangelizing, especially in the South in the early 19th century. In 1835, American composer William Walker set it to the tune known as "New Britain" in a shape-note format; this is the version most frequently sung today.
With the message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of sins committed and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God, "Amazing Grace" is one of the greatest songs written in Christianity.
God's Grace is Amazing and has no limits!
Jesus had a lot to say about the truth in John chapter 8. He was speaking about Himself... that if someone does not believe that He is the One sent from the Father, that person will die in his sins. John 8:24. He went on to say that if a person would accept the Truth that He is the Son of God, that Jesus would forgive him of His sins and give him a relationship with God. John 14:6.
There are many today that do not accept the many truths found in the Word of God, because they will not accept the relationship that Jesus offers them with the Father. When God created the world, he set certain physical truths in motion... planets moving around the sun... gravity holding us to the earth... becoming a boy or girl when you are born... Humans have human babies. Humans do not have puppies or kittens or baby animals of any other species. That is science!
Eve gave birth to Cain, Abel and Seth, Adam did not. By God's design, men cannot have babies. Every person on earth that has ever lived (except Adam or Eve) has been born of a woman. It is through the union of a man and a woman that a child is conceived. A child... a baby boy or girl. Satan is at war with God and will do everything he can to pervert the truths of God. Indeed, he has tried and found many who would believe his lies.
I find it sad that so many have come to accept the perversions of Satan. The truth is that no matter how many Satan has turned to believe his lies, it still does not change the truths of God.
Would you please tell your children and grandchildren the real truth and where they can find it... in God's Word!? Make them aware that some of their classmates may not know God's Word and may be tempted to doubt the truths found there. Encourage them to tell their friends about the real truth and where to find it!