I believe there are many people who think that they have been converted because of certain changes which they have made or which have been made (for various reasons) in their lives. Sometimes there are changes which are beneficial to everyone, but still it is not being born again or being saved.
A man may change from a drunkard to a sober man, and that is good; but it will not make him acceptable in God’s sight. A man may change from being a thief to being honest, and that is good; but it will not save him. A man may learn good and wholesome doctrine, attend the house of worship, and contribute talents and money to helping the ministry; but that will not save him either.
Salvation is not washing the skin; it is the washing of regeneration by the Spirit and by the blood of Christ. Not only is the walk different, but the heart is different. Not only are the words different, but the spirit and attitude are different.
There is a change wrought in a sinner when he meets the Master in saving faith, but it is first of all an inward change which brings an outward change. This order cannot be reversed! There may be outward changes which never reach the heart; but without fail, if there is a change in heart, it will bring forth an outward conformity to godliness.
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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