And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. - Romans 1:23
All of these things are prevalent today as symbols, signs, and reminders of God and religion. Pictures of a man called Jesus, pictures and statues of saints, crosses, doves of peace flying in front of flames of fire, Easter bunnies, chickens, egg hunts, and bumper stickers of a fish to indicate that the driver is a Christian.
The glory of our God, essential to himself, cannot, is not, and must not be reduced to such images and idols. "But," we are reminded, "these are not idols; these are symbols and signs to remind us of God and spiritual things."
They are idols! and if permitted or encouraged, with the passing of time, these symbols (like Moses' serpent of brass in 2 Kings18:4) become more prominent and important than what they are supposed to represent.
The Lord gave us the bread and wine to remember his body and blood given for us. But these elements once eaten and drunk are gone and we see not them, but him. The Lord gave us the ordinance of baptism and "All of us who have been baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death; therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death" (Romans 6:3-4). And having confessed our Lord in believer's baptism, we are done with the water and we live by faith upon him. "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry" (1 Cor. 10:14).
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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