Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. - James 5:14-15
Is any sick among you? The bodies of believers (as well as others) are liable to a variety of diseases.
Let him call for the elders of the church. This may mean those who hold that office by the authority of the church or the older men of the church, sound in faith and experience.
And let them pray over him. Let these men pray for his comfort, for his recovery, and for the grace of God to strengthen him in his need.
Anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Some suggest that this means to use ordinary medicine as well as prayer. Some suggest that anointing with oil should not be done since the extraordinary gift of healing, given to the apostles, has ceased. Others say that the anointing with oil is symbolic of the Spirit of God and should be applied as this scripture commands. But whether we use medicine, anoint with oil, or do not anoint with oil, let us pray for the sick and let our prayers and desires go forth in the name of Christ, for the glory of Christ, and according to the will of our Lord Jesus.
We cannot say that God will heal every one for whom we pray. It may be his will for that person to die or to bear the affliction longer, for his good and for God’s glory. But, when we pray, let it be “the prayer of faith;” for we can certainly say that faithless prayer will not be heard (Heb. 11:6).
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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