The Jerusalem Sinner Saved (Annotated)

by John Bunyan

This 'Vintage Puritan' edition of John Bunyan's classic includes a linked Table of Contents and Footnotes.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Audiobook, Classics, Religion, Christian Living, Nonfiction

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2013

About the author

John Bunyan, a Christian writer and preacher, was born at Harrowden (one mile south-east of Bedford), in the Parish of Elstow, England. He wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, arguably the most famous published Christian allegory. In the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 30 August.

Reviews

[Jake Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Bunyan’s writings are saturated with the gospel of grace and “The Jerusalem Sinner Saved” is no different. I confess that the title both interested and perplexed me as to what Bunyan was aiming for. In a remarkable way, Bunyan highlights the command of Christ to the apostles to begin preaching in Jerusalem as a testimony to the wondrous grace of God. Bunyan contends that there were no bigger sinners than those in Jerusalem. These were the ones who heard and witnessed the Christ but rejected and executed Him. Vengeful men would never bring royal tidings of mercy to his oppressors. Yet, this is the mercy of Christ! Bunyan majestically works through the Scriptures and the doctrine to trumpet how amazing saving grace is! How often my own heart was stirred and overwhelmed in considering how Christ saved me. One also sees the free offer of the gospel championed by Andrew Fuller and C.H. Spurgeon embedded in Bunyan’s writing. Pick up this Puritan Paperback from The Banner of Truth and be amazed that God saved a big sinner like you!

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure I agreed with all of Bunyan's arguments, but his zeal is irrefutable...and infectious. He is amazed by grace. In fact, he uses the phrase "amazing grace" nearly a century before Newton wrote his famous hymn, and I suspect that's where he got its title. The book (originally a sermon, I believe) is really an evangelistic appeal, but is also a great tool of encouragement for those who, like me, tend to get wobbly on whether grace could really be for someone as vile as they. I particularly liked this quote: "Let us, therefore, upon the sight of our wretchedness, fly and venturously leap into the arms of Christ, which are now as open to receive us into His bosom as they were when nailed to the cross."

Another Bob Souer narration.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good tonic for the soul.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.
Leaves NO ONE with any excuse of why a sinner should not come to Jesus Christ. He offers his mercy & grace to ALL.
It's amazing how Bunyan was able to write a whole book on one verse of Scripture from Luke 24:47.
"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
This is the phrase he repeats: "... beginning at Jerusalem."
After rising from the dead after having shed His blood on the cross to make full satisfaction for God's wrath against His people's sins, Christ commissions his disciples to preach the Gospel, beginning with the very Jews who blasphemed, hated, mocked, and eventually killed him. These were the greatest sinners. And these are the people whom Jesus wanted to offer salvation to first. Does this not show the amazing, gentle, loving heart of our Savior?
And what encouragement this is for those fearful, timid sinners who wonder if they have sinned too much, etc. Jesus offers grace to the vilest of men! Sinning is the warrant to come to him for forgiveness--and every one of us is a sinner. It does not matter the degree of sin--all are welcome to come unto Christ. ❤️
There is so much more in this little book that I could unpack here, but I'd say read it for yourself. You won't regret it and it will only give you a deeper love for Christ (if you are His!) and/or a Gospel call that leaves you with no excuse if you do not know Jesus as your Savior.

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins by telling us how Christ wanted his apostles to start their preaching with the people of Jerusalem, who has just committed the worst sin: the crucifying of the Son of God (and many were saved, it turns out). From this Bunyan begins his demonstration of how the even the vilest of the sinners (even those whose sins are not known to other people) - the 'Jerusalem sinner' - has hope of being saved as long as they live. Also included are reasons why mercy is offered to the biggest sinners first, answers to some objections and a few other useful points.
In the end you end up feeling completely convinced of Bunyan's (and Jesus') message, more optimistic about yourself, no matter how big a sinner you are, more committed in becoming a virtuous person - and saved!

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puritan John Bunyan examines how Christ extended mercy to even the ‘biggest’ of sinners by showing that His command was to first share His message in Jerusalem, the very city that had rejected, betrayed, and murdered Him. Bunyan points out that if Christ is willing to offer forgiveness to the very people who killed Him then there is no one beyond the reach of His mercy and grace. Although archaic in style, Bunyan’s message remains poignant.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know many a snob who would say that this is a simple sermon, but it is Bunyan's simplicity that makes it so poignant. It is the simple gospel message that Christ came to save sinners, and He starts with the chief of sinners. You won't regret reading this book.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides hope for everyone who puts their trust in God through his son jesus.I love the way it presents facts and arguments which liberates people from various strongholds .

[Trevor Coen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:47 ESV

In this book, Bunyan looks at Luke 24:47 and makes the following assertions:

1) The Jerusalem Sinner is the 1st century Jew, and he is the vilest of all sinners because it was he that killed Christ.

2) Jesus instructs the disciples to preach The Gospel to these wicked sinners first that they might be saved first.

3) No one is too great a sinner for God to save and in fact, God delights in saving the most wicked of sinners because it displays his glory all the more.

While I agree with the ultimate application of this book that God can and does save particularly vile sinners and that it brings him all the more glory, I had a hard time with the driving metaphor of the book being Jewish Deicide, the belief that the Jewish people *alone* bear the eternal responsibility for the death of Christ. Deicide has been a massive source of Anti-Semitism throughout history. The fact is, the Jews do not bare sole responsibility for Christ's death, we all do. While reading this book, I often reflected on Stuart Townend's How Deep the Father's Love for Us.

"Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished."

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I just think Bunyan misapplied Luke 24:47.
In the middle of the book, he narrativized Luke 7: 36-50 when Martha washes Jesus feet with her tears and her hair.

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

I thought this was a much better passage to make the same point.

[Kells Next Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can prove (by many undeniable reasons) that they of Jerusalem (to whom the apostles made the first offer, according as they were commanded) were the biggest sinners that ever did breathe upon the face of God's earth, (set the unpardonable sin aside), upon which my doctrine stands like a rock, that Jesus the Son of God would have mercy in the first place offered to the biggest sinners: and if this doth not shew the heart of the Father and the Son to be infinitely free in bestowing forgiveness of sins, I confess myself mistaken.

Bunyan, John. The Jerusalem Sinner Saved; or, Good News for the Vilest of Men (p. 34). Kindle Edition.

Bunyan never fails to disappoint. This little book packed such a punch. Bunyan lays out his reasoning as to why God started first with Jerusalem's Salvation. They, being the biggest sinners, in that they rejected God and sin continually, knowing who he was personally. God thought it needful and expedient to start with the worst of the lot first before extended it to the world. Oh, the awesome love and majesty of our God and saviour. ❤️🙏🏾❤️

Some more Quotes that resonated with Me:

That as Christ would have the doctrine of repentance and remission of sins preached in his name among all nations, so he would have the people of Jerusalem to have the first proffer thereof. Preach it, saith Christ, in all nations, but begin at Jerusalem.

Bunyan, John. The Jerusalem Sinner Saved; or, Good News for the Vilest of Men (p. 1). Kindle Edition.

I am persuaded, did men believe that there is that grace and willingness in the heart of Christ to save sinners, as the word imports there is, they would come tumbling into his arms: but Satan has blinded their minds, that they cannot see this thing.

Bunyan, John. The Jerusalem Sinner Saved; or, Good News for the Vilest of Men (p. 19). Kindle Edition

Jesus Christ therefore knows what he doth, when he lays hold on the hearts of sinners of the biggest size. He knows that such an one will love more than many that have not sinned half their sins.

Bunyan, John. The Jerusalem Sinner Saved; or, Good News for the Vilest of Men (p. 25). Kindle Edition.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bunyan's message of hope to the downtrodden. He cites scripture and works as a sort of guide to the ignorant or distracted as to the specific text that informs the sinner that all are capable of redemption.

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a beautiful guide to where the gospel starts and why it started there. The author's insights into how the gospel message was started is an absolute treasure. This book is a must-read!

[Daniel Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good balm for souls troubled by the shame and guilt of sin. Bunyan’s passion for sinners is undeniable.

[Chris Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't dipped into the Puritans for some time, but this was a great book to reignite my enthusiasm for these spiritual giants. Bunyan's objective is to "display the riches of divine grace and mercy to the greatest sinners...it is to those who feel themselves to be such, and who make a proper estimate of their own characters, as in the sight of God, that the gracious proclamations of the gospel are peculiarly directed." Bunyan riffs on this theme for some 120 pages, with that curiously Puritan combination of intense attention to detail and earthy, vivid prose.

He talks much of great sinners, and of the amazing good news of the gospel to those who have sinned long, grievously, and notoriously. But lest we conclude that "small" sinners need not worry, Bunyan points out that, "Comparatively little sins before conviction, when seen in the glass of God's law, and in his holy presence, become great ones. Those who feel themselves to be great sinners are peculiarly invited to the arms of the Saviour, who saves to the uttermost all that come unto him; and it is thus peculiar consolation is poured in, and the broken heart is bound up."

He also gives strong warnings against presumption, and for the need of repentance to accompany faith, "Repentance is joined here with faith, in the way of receiving the gospel. Faith is that without which it cannot be received at all; and repentance that without which it cannot be received unfeignedly." Similarly, presumption is that which severs faith from repentance, "concluding that the soul shall be saved by grace, though the man was never made sorry for his sins, nor the love of the heart turned therefrom."

With regards to Bunyan's vividness, he following passage was particularly memorable In it, he expands on the idea of Christ as a doctor who, uniquely, can cure what ails us: "Physicians get neither name nor fame by pricking of pimples, or picking out thistles, or by laying of plasters to the scratch of a pin; every old woman can do this. But if they would have a name and a fame, if they will have it quickly, they must, as I said, do some great and desperate cures. Let them fetch one to life that was dead; let them recover one to his wits that was mad; let them make one that was born blind to see; or let the, give ripe wits to a fool: these are notable cures, and he that can do thus, and if he doth thus first, he shall have the name and fame he desires; he may lie in bed till noon."

I can do no better than to finish with some more words from Bunyan himself, which will warm the soul of any Christian:

"The penitent, humble, broken-hearted sinner, be his transgressions red as scarlet, red like crimson, in number as the sand; though his transgressions cry to heaven against him for vengeance, and seem there to cry louder than do his prayers, or tears, or groans for mercy; yet he is safe. To this man God will look."

N.B. The Banner of Truth Puritan Paperbacks edition helpfully includes an outline summary of the book, which follows the familiar pattern of Doctrine / Use:

Why is mercy first offered to the biggest sinners?
- Because they have the greatest need.
- Because, when they receive it, this brings the most fame to Christ's name.
- Because others, hearing of it, will be more encouraged to come to Christ.
- Because this most weakens the kingdom of Satan.
- Because, when converted, the biggest sinners are the biggest helps to the tempted and the weak (they have had great contests with the devil at their parting from him; and they have great knowledge of his secrets and workings).
- Because, when converted, they are apt to love Christ most.
- Because when grace finds more matter to kindle on in them than in other sinners.
- Because the impenitent will be left all the more without excuse.

Application:
If Christ first offers mercy to the biggest sinners:
- This shows us how to judge rightly of Christ's gracious intentions towards men.
- This shows us the sufficiency of the merits of Christ to save the worst sinners.
- This encourages those who think their sins are too great to be forgiven.
- This gives arguments to use with unconcerned sinners to urge them to come to Christ.
- This shows the unreasonableness of despairing of mercy.
- This affords a warning against presumption.
- This gives a warrant for 'little' sinners to come to Christ for mercy.
- This explains the malice and the tactics of Satan against Christ and sinners.
- This gives help and consolation to those who are tempted.
- This gives help to those who have sinned against conscience in time of trial.
- This shows how ministers should behave towards sinners and how all believers should love one another.

Answers to the fear as a sinner:
- That his day of grace is past.
- That he is not of the elect.
- That he has committed the unpardonable sin.
- Final encouragement to receive Christ and his benefits.

[Michael Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book by John Bunyan. There is something about reading books that were written hundreds of years ago, but especially those about biblical topics. Bunyan does a fantastic job!

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me some Bunyan but this reads like a long sermon. Coming in at just over a hundred pages it won’t take long but it does come in deep. Bunyan presents a point and then forces you to reflect on a paragraph of nothing but questions. They read like the lightning round in a game show. The thesis addresses those who thing themselves too bad to come to Christ. If Christ sent the apostles to the city who crucified him and they preached repentance and forgiveness, what makes you think that you have done worse than killing the Son of God?

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great work from Bunyan, the immortal dreamer. His argument here is from the greater to the lesser. He characterizes the Jerusalem sinner as the greatest sinner. He shews the mercy of God extended to him. Then he reasons that if God's mercy is extended to the greatest sinner, it will surely reach the least sinner.

This is an encouraging book to read. Bunyan does a good job at the end in raising and answering objections. I highly recommend it.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love John Bunyan's heart. This is an excellent book on Christ's willingness to save the biggest of sinners. I think it is a particularly important book with regard to Jewish/Christian issues. If the Christian Church had heeded Bunyan's wisdom, we might not have seen the sad history of anti-semitism that was exhibited by those naming the name of Christ.

[Justin Andrusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice exposition on how God elects were the most vile human beings to eternal life in Jesus Christ.

[Zach Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book focuses on what seems to be a favorite theme of Bunyan’s: soothing broken consciences with the grace and merits of Christ. The Jerusalem Sinner Saved is not as thorough as my favorite Bunyan treatise (Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ), but it might be more forceful and urgent. Especially in the application, Bunyan confronts you with Christ in nearly every sentence. He grabs ahold of you and refuses to let go. I’m not sure you can grasp the depths of Bunyan’s Christ-centeredness just from Pilgrim’s Progress. His evangelistic treatises like this really highlight just how much he focused on Christ. I read Bunyan and I fall in love with Jesus all over again.

[Jonathan Jang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The entire premise of the book is a warming thought; that Christ offers forgiveness to the worst of sinner. That is his entire thesis and it is also his entire life. Bunyan suffering from the very condition he writes against, medicinally applies the works of grace by Christ all conditioned upon the promise of the Gospel first to those in Jerusalem. One thing I would just say that at times it was difficult to understand his writing and also sometimes he would not flesh things out as robustly as I wished he had. Otherwise a comforting and true book where he treats things of their proper order and degree.

[Arthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

On one hand it's a short book of a few hours. On the other hand it's actually longer than it needed to be. The premise is that the Jerusalem sinner, the ones who had direct roles in the death of Christ, are the worst sinners, and that their salvation was offered. If the worst is pardoned then certainly all can be pardoned. Also that those who sin most and worst have a greater urgency to be saved. This and other thoughts can be summed up in a much shorter time span than the author used.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently free on Audible. I was familiar with Bunyan’s more famous book, The Pilgrim’s Progress, but I had never heard of this one before seeing it free on Audible. I wound up liking it more than TPP. It was shorter and more concise, and it’s also written as non-fiction as opposed to Christian fiction. I found it to be rich with wisdom and an encouraging message.

[Jesse Kessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a slow marching exploration of God's grace to sinners, in fairly archaic feeling prose. I do appreciate the ability of the author to stay on topic!

The thesis: the gospel is offered first to the greatest of sinners.

If you feel like a great sinner, the gospel is for you!

This was in fact a good book. I'm just not certain how fast I would recommend it to others.

[John Muriango · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indeed, God's grace is sufficient to save the vilest wretch, so, put your faith only on His begotten Son Christ Jesus and be ye saved!

[Valerie Romero · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a precious, rich text to bring to light the miracle, the grace, and the mercy in salvation.

[Reading]

《绝望者的盼望》（英）约翰·班扬。

至于你的惧怕，不管是什么样的惧怕，都要认定，这些惧怕毫无根据，不值一提。

[Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A precious book for the small-faith Christian and the unbeliever who has tasted the mercies of Christ. The salvation of God is offered firstly to the greatest sinners. Praise the Lord!

[Chandler Langmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent treatise from Bunyan on the great grace of God for the worst of sinners

[Richard Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a super duper classic. Bunyan’s way with words is phenomenal—tender, bold, and full of gospel warmth. It’s no wonder this book is still being read and loved centuries later.