David Phelps - The End of The Beginning Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
I was taking a trip on a plane the other day
Just wishing that I could get out
When the man next to me saw the book in my hand
And asked me what it was about
So I settled back in my seat
"A best seller," I said.
"A history, a mystery in one."
And then I opened up the book and began to read
From Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Chorus 1
He was born of a virgin one holy night
In the little town of Bethlehem
Angels gathered round him underneath the stars
Singing praises to the Great I Am
He walked on the water
Healed the lame
And made the blind to see again
And for the first time here on earth
We learned that God could be a friend
And though he never ever did a single thing wrong
The angry crowd chose Him
And then He walked down the road
And died on the cross
And that was the end of the beginning
Verse 2
"That's not a new book that's a bible," he said
"and I've heard it all before
I've tried religion
It's shame and guilt
And I don't need it anymore
It's superstition, made up tales
And just to help the weak to survive."
"Let me read it again," I said
"Listen closely, cause this is gonna change your life"
(Chorus 1) (Repeat)
Bridge
"The end of the beginning," he said with a smile,
"What more could there be?
He's dead, You said they hung Him, put nails in His hands and a crown of thorns on His head."
I said, "I'll read it again but this time there's more and I believe that this is true. His death wasn't the end, the beginning of life. That's completed in you, don't you see? He did all this for you!"
Chorus 2
He was born of a virgin one holy night
In the little town of Bethlehem
All the angels singing praises to the Great I AM
He walked on the water
Healed the lame
And made the blind to see
(and for the first time here on earth)
Did you know that God could be a friend
Though He never ever did a single thing wrong
He was the One the crowd chose
Then He walked and He died but
Three days later (3x)
HE ROSE!!
Three days later he rose!
You see he came, he lived, and he died
But that was the end of the beginning
Video
Bill & Gloria Gaither - End of the Beginning [Live] ft. David Phelps
Meaning & Inspiration
"The End of the Beginning," as performed by David Phelps and released on June 29, 2012, on the Bill & Gloria Gaither recording, is a profound musical exploration of the Christian narrative, focusing on the transformative power of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. The song opens with a simple yet relatable scenario: a conversation on an airplane, where the narrator is reading the Gospels. This mundane setting quickly becomes a catalyst for a powerful discussion about faith, moving from a casual inquiry about a book to the core tenets of Christianity. The lyrics artfully depict the familiar story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, His miraculous deeds—walking on water, healing the sick, and restoring sight—and the profound implication of His earthly ministry: the revelation that God can be a friend to humanity. This foundational message, that "God could be a friend," echoes throughout Scripture, highlighting God's desire for intimate relationship with His creation, as evidenced in passages like John 15:15 where Jesus calls His disciples friends.
The song poignantly addresses the rejection Jesus faced, noting that despite His sinless life, He was chosen by an "angry crowd" to die on the cross. This moment, seemingly an ultimate defeat, is presented as "the end of the beginning." This phrase, while seemingly paradoxical, encapsulates the biblical understanding that Christ's death was not a conclusion but a crucial turning point, a fulfillment of prophecy and a necessary step in God's redemptive plan. The lyrics then pivot to a common skepticism, articulated by the fellow passenger who dismisses faith as "shame and guilt" and mere "superstition." This dialogue effectively mirrors the spiritual journey many experience, wrestling with doubt and misconceptions about religion. The narrator’s response, "Listen closely, cause this is gonna change your life," underscores the transformative potential inherent in the Gospel message, a message that fundamentally alters one's perspective and eternal destiny.
The bridge of the song introduces the crucial question: if Jesus died, what more could there be? This directly confronts the finality that many perceive in death. However, the narrator’s powerful assertion that "His death wasn't the end, the beginning of life" and that "this is completed in you" redirects the listener's attention to the resurrection. The repeated emphasis on Jesus' life, death, and the pivotal phrase "Three days later... HE ROSE!!" ignites the song's climax. This declaration of the resurrection is the very cornerstone of Christian faith, as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:14, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." The song skillfully moves from the historical events to their personal application, reminding the listener that Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection were not distant occurrences but were accomplished "for you!" The ultimate message is one of hope and renewal, presenting Christ's journey not as a closed chapter, but as the definitive "end of the beginning" that ushers in a new era of life and relationship with God, available to all who believe.