If your study of the New Testament Church makes you unhappy because you cannot find its counterpart in the world today, or at least in your neighborhood, let me remind you that there were no perfect or ideal churches in the New Testament, except, of course, "That glorious church, without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb."
The local assemblies which met in various cities and towns during New Testament days were not perfect by any means. Corinth was troubled with divisions which were the results of spiritual immaturity. Colosse was troubled with vain philosophy. Galatia was troubled with the error of salvation by works; other churches had left their first love.
In spite of all these failings, our Lord walked among the golden candlesticks and held the seven stars in his right hand! The Bible points out the defects of these churches not to excuse people from assembling with the church, but to correct error and to exhort believers to a more consistent walk in holiness. The church is the people—"What kind of church would his church be, if all the members were just like me?" We would do well to take these epistles not only as a pattern for New Testament churches but also as a pattern for New Testament christians!
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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