The invitation-only funeral service for evangelist Billy Graham in Charlotte, North Carolina was attended today by about 2,000 people, including the president and vice-president of the United States.
[Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, Billy Graham: 1918 — 2018]
Several family members and ministry leaders gave remarks celebrating the integrity and Christian faithfulness of the man called “America’s pastor.”
[Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, A Billy Graham Crusade Snapshot]
Throughout the service, speakers reminisced about how the Bible was central in Billy Graham’s preaching, with son Franklin Graham saying, “My father would want you to know that he believed the Bible to be the infallible Word of God. He didn’t understand it all, but he sure believed it all. The Bible was his sole authority.” [Watch the Funeral Service video]
[See the many books and resources by and about Billy Graham in the Bible Gateway Store]
Franklin continued, “When he preached, he always took the Bible to the pulpit with him. And for most of his messages he would hold the Bible in his hand and he would quote Scripture after Scripture. His sermons were filled with Scripture. And when he would quote the Scripture he would always say, ‘the Bible says.’ Why? Because it was his authority.”
[Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, How to Live The Bible — “The Bible Says…” – Billy Graham]
Bible passages were quoted and referenced often during the memorial service, including the following:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:4-9
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
Proverbs 11:30
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2 Corinthians 4:5 (KJV)
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Matthew 25:23
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