For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. - Romans 14:9
Is the whole concept of present-day evangelism wrong? I believe that it is! Present-day evangelism is based on the fact that death is near for all and, after death, there is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain. If we don't want to go to hell, we must find a way to make peace with God, thereby gaining an entrance into this wonderful paradise called Heaven. The way to attain this coveted prize in some circles is to come to the front of the place of worship and say that you believe in God, and accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. In some circles, you must come to an altar and look for an experience or an emotional upheaval. In some circles, the way is to join the group and pay your expected dues. And in other circles, you reform your life and live by certain principles. But the ultimate goal of them all is the same; to stay out of hell and to go to heaven.
But true biblical evangelism says that God has turned this world over to the Lord Jesus Christ, who purchased the crown rights at Calvary. "He died that he might be Lord of the dead and the living" (Rom. 14:9). "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Ph. 2:9). True biblical evangelism commands men to bow to the claims of Jesus Christ and to receive him as Lord and believe that God hath raised him from the dead and exalted him.
Whatever he is pleased to do with me, he is my Lord. If I have an interest in his atonement, his grace, and his mercy, I shall be a trophy of his eternal grace; if not, I shall honor his justice; but, either way, he is still the Lord! Oh! that I may win Christ and be found in him.
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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