For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: - 1 Peter 3:18
How can I, a sinner, come to the holy, living God and find welcome, acceptance, and fellowship? How can I come to God so as to live my life here on earth in his communion and favor and, when I die, be received up to enjoy his glory forever? I can take the Scriptures and eliminate the many ways which men think will bring them to God.
1. The love of God alone will not bring me to God. God is love and delights to show mercy, but God is also holy and righteous and will not show his love at the expense of his holiness. He will punish sin!
2. The law of God will not bring me to God. “By the law is the knowledge of sin,” not its pardon nor forgiveness.
3. The church of God will not bring me to God. The church is the body of those who have been brought to God.
In the Old Testament there were three essentials to coming to God to obtain favor, acceptance, and atonement. On the Day of Atonement the high priest came to the tabernacle with the blood sacrifice in his hand. There was a designated priest who came to the tabernacle (holy place) with the atoning blood. It is no different today!
Our tabernacle is Christ, who tabernacled among us. God will meet men and men will meet God only in Christ.
Our high priest is the lord Jesus, who is the one Mediator.
Our atonement is his own blood, by which he entered heaven itself and obtained for us full, complete, and eternal acceptance.
I urge you who have an interest in knowing the Living God to come to him by faith in Christ.
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.
Comments
Your comment has been submitted and is awaiting moderation. Once approved, it will appear on this page.
Be the first to comment!