“Jesus replied, ‘[E]veryone who sins is a slave to sin. A slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’”
John 8:34-36
John Newton’s ship made it through torrential storms back to England. He wrote, “About this time I began to know that there is a God who hears and answers prayer.” In 1750 Newton married the love of his life, Mary Catlett. His Christian life began to blossom as he came under the influence of George Whitefield and John and Charles Wesley. Ordained as an Anglican minister in 1764, he became the pastor of the small parish of Olney. There Newton began writing hymns. Poet William Cowper joined him in hymn-writing, and together they published Olney Hymns, a compilation of 280 of Newton’s and 80 of Cowper’s works. This year we mark the 250th anniversary of when Newton’s best-known hymn, “Amazing Grace,” was first sung. It’s Newton’s best-known and arguably one of the best loved in Christendom.
John Newton was the rector of St. Mary Woolnoth in London from 1769 until his death in 1807. He never stopped being amazed by grace. Among his last recorded words were, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!”
John Newton was the rector of St. Mary Woolnoth in London from 1769 until his death in 1807. He never stopped being amazed by grace. Among his last recorded words were, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!”
Scripture Focus
Acts 26:1-18
Insight
“When this flesh and heart shall fail,/ And mortal life shall cease,/ I shall possess, within the veil,/ A life of joy and peace.” (“Amazing Grace,” v. 5)
Bible In A Year
- Ecclesiastes 1-2
- Psalm 63
- John 2-3
