We preach the gospel of sovereign, free, covenant grace. That is the only gospel there is, and it is the only gospel which glorifies our Lord and makes certain our salvation! Even so, while our works, obedience, and love for Christ and others have nothing to do with the justification of our souls, our conduct has everything to do with the justification and proof of our faith! James did not hesitate to declare that a person who has no works has no faith. John did not hesitate to declare that a person who does not love his brother does not love God. So, preachers of grace and believers in the grace and mercy of God in Christ, I do not hesitate for one moment to urge you to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). While a man is a fool to rest in an Arminian refuge of works, even so, he is a fool who rests on a Calvinistic refuge without works of faith and labor of love!
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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