There are more lofty terms, such as “Bishop” that can be used when we refer to God's messenger. There are more endearing terms, such as “Pastor,” and more scriptural terms, such as “Elder;” but there is no more accurate and truly descriptive term to identify one who is called of God to preach the gospel than “the preacher.”
Solomon wrote in Eccles. 1:12, “I the preacher was king over Israel.” To him, being “the preacher” was more important than being the king. Paul wrote in Rom. 10, “How shall they hear without the preacher?” I know that men today use the term in a sarcastic fashion to make fun of people who are very devout; but when a true believer, who loves the gospel, calls the man who brought him that gospel “the preacher,” it is indeed an honor and a tribute. In my little hometown in Alabama, we called our only physician “the doctor” and our only minister “the preacher.” Both were essential and appreciated. They were designated in this manner because they were the only ones who could do what they did. Blessed is the man who knows God and the gospel of God's grace and can be correctly called “the preacher;” for, “How shall they hear without the preacher and how shall they preach except they be sent?”
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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