I believe I know a little of the grief that Paul felt when he wrote, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.” I don’t know very much about Demas, but I do know that Paul believed that Demas loved Christ, loved the gospel, and would continue in the faith until God called him home. But Demas allowed someone—or something—to come between him and the Lord, revealing that what he had professed for so long was only a profession!
Perhaps Demas had a common, ordinary job and was promoted to a position of authority, which made his association with the despised gospel and apostles embarrassing to him. Or perhaps Demas was a widower who met a certain unbelieving, attractive woman who turned his foolish head from the church and the gospel. Or perhaps Demas came into a great inheritance and his new lifestyle did not fit the humble lifestyle of the apostles. Or perhaps Demas was a young, handsome man who despised the single life and was determined to marry his choice over the protest of the Apostle Paul. Or perhaps Demas was an ambitious preacher who felt that toning down the offensive message of free-grace in seeking the approval of Arminian will-worshippers and the fellowship of religionists, would open doors for him, increase his congregation, and add to his support. Or perhaps Demas had just never stopped loving Demas, and his claims to Christ were only a part of his effort to promote himself.
Whatever it may have been, the Demas tribe continues with us!
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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