Spurgeon once said, “Depend on it, the nearer we get back to the nakedness of worship, the nearer we get to its truth and worship; and it is because man has fallen that his body wants clothing, so he is always dressing up his religion.”
Why the special garb for the preacher, the robes for the choir, the crosses, the candles, the processions and special effects when God looks only on the heart? I’m sure the answer will return from some quarters, “We know God is spirit and is worshipped only in spirit and truth. We do not use these visual aids for God but for men, that they may be influenced to feel more religious and reverent.”
My friend, what a solemn and serious charge to bring against your congregation! That you can, with carnal means, do what the Spirit of God cannot do for them; namely, to give them a heart to love, adore, worship, and thank God! Mr. Spurgeon is quite right in saying, “The nearer we get back to the nakedness of worship, the nearer we get to its truth and worship.”
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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