The Lord instructed Israel to appoint six cities of refuge. The person who killed another accidentally or unwittingly could flee to one of these cities and state his case to the elders. The elders were to take him in, give him a place to dwell among them; and when the avenger of blood came looking for him, they were not to deliver him into his hands, but the slayer could abide in safety. These cities of refuge are a type of Christ, who is the sinner's refuge. In him we are received, given an eternal dwelling place, protected, accepted, and delivered from all charges or condemnation.
But, like all types and pictures, if taken too far or exalted too much, this type breaks down pitifully. Let us learn that no creature can represent Christ Jesus perfectly, and no type can do justice to his person and work.
There were six cities of refuge. There is only one Redeemer.
These cities only protected from physical death; Christ delivers us from spiritual and eternal death.
These cities required physical exertion and running to reach them. No physical move, effort, nor deed is necessary to come to Christ—only heart faith!
These cities were only for those who by accident or chance killed someone; but Christ, our Lord, is the refuge and redeemer of willful sinners. He died for the ungodly and welcomes the chief of sinners to come to him for refuge.
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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