There is a union between Christ and faith that cannot be separated. Take away Christ from faith and faith is zero! It is nothing and stands for nothing. Apart from the person and work of Jesus Christ, there is no such thing as saving faith. For Christ is the bread of life; faith is the mouth of the soul that feeds upon him. Christ is the Saviour lifted up; faith is the eye of the soul which looks to him. Christ is the bridegroom; faith , like the bride, takes him by the hand and enters with him into the wedding. Christ is the garment of righteousness for the naked; faith receives him and his holiness.
I see no reason for all of the conflict and debates concerning saving faith. It does not say, “Abraham believed”; it says, “Abraham believed God!” Abraham believed God in Christ! Christ said, “He rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” Apart from Christ, Abraham had no faith. Christ was the reason for his faith, the object of his faith, the JOY of his faith, and the assurance of his faith!
So, my faith and your faith (if it is faith), is Jesus Christ and him crucified.
“Nothing in my hands I bring;
Simply to Jesus Christ I cling.”
This, my friends, is saving faith.
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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