The Providence of God in Evangelism and Witness

The providence of God refers to God's ongoing preservation and governance of all things through secondary causes ^[1]. This divine oversight extends to the natural world, animal creation, and the affairs of humanity, including the actions of individuals and even the free choices of people ^[1]. God's providence is understood as his care over his works, encompassing preservation, provision, and protection for his creatures ^[3].

In the context of evangelism and witness, God's providence ensures that his purposes are brought to pass ^[3]. The concept of "witness" itself is deeply embedded in biblical understanding, with names like Elead, Adaiah, and Adiel meaning "witness of God" or "the witness of the Lord" ^{[2, 4, 7]}. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of witness, stating that "the witness of God is greater" than the witness of men, specifically concerning his Son ^[5]. The apostles saw themselves as witnesses of Christ's life, death, resurrection, and exaltation, with the Holy Spirit also bearing witness through miraculous gifts and grace ^[16].

The gospel itself is described as "good tidings of great joy for all people," foretold in the Old Testament and preached by Christ ^[6]. It is the power of God for salvation and brings life and immortality to light ^[6]. Ministers are given a stewardship to preach this gospel ^[6]. The work of evangelism, therefore, is not merely a human endeavor but is deeply intertwined with God's providential working. John Gill, commenting on Ecclesiastes, notes that Solomon considered the "work of Providence" with great application, even if he could not fully comprehend its reasons ^[9]. This suggests that while human effort is involved, the ultimate unfolding of God's plan remains within his sovereign control.

The grace of God is central to this process, as seen in Paul's declaration that he was made a preacher "through that grace of God which was given to me in the measure of the working of his power" ^[8]. This highlights that the ability and effectiveness of evangelism are divinely enabled. The "testimonies" of God, referring to the Scriptures, are considered wonderful because they reveal God's mind and will, detailing creation, providential events, miracles, and the wisdom of God ^{[13, 14]}. These testimonies are the content of the witness.

Furthermore, the faithfulness and mercy of God are with Christ, ensuring the performance of promises made to him and his people ^[12]. This divine faithfulness undergirds the entire mission of witness. Believers are encouraged to "rejoice in the Lord" and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness, which is displayed in all his actions and imputed to his people for justification ^[11]. This joy and gratitude can fuel their witness. Matthew Henry emphasizes the need for divine grace to assist in keeping God's testimonies, implying that without God's quickening, individuals cannot persevere in the good way ^[15]. This applies to the act of witnessing as well, suggesting that divine enablement is necessary for effective evangelism.

The book of Revelation speaks of bearing "record of the word of God" and "the testimony of Jesus," which is identified as "the Spirit of prophecy" ^[10]. This connection between God's word, Christ's testimony, and the Spirit underscores the divine origin and power behind all witness.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Elead — witness of God”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Adaiah — the witness of the Lord”
I John “I John 5:9 (Rotherham) — If, the witness of men, we receive, the witness of God, is, greater. Because, this, is the witness of God—in that he hath borne witness concerning his Son,—”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Adiel — the witness of the Lord”
Ephesians “Ephesians 3:7 (BBE) — Of which I was made a preacher, through that grace of God which was given to me in the measure of the working of his power.”
Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 9:1: For all this I considered in mine heart,.... What goes before, in the latter end of the preceding chapter, concerning the various providences of God, the difficulty of finding out the reasons of them, and the fruitlessness of attempting it; and also what follows, the work of Providence: Solomon gave his mind unto, attended it with great application, and strictly considered and examined it, in order to find it out, but could not; and if he could not, no other man could. And he had a good intention in all; his views were, even to declare all this; for the end of ”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 1:2: bare record of--"testified the word of God" in this book. Where we would say "testifies," the ancients in epistolary communications use the past tense. The word of God constitutes his testimony; Rev 1:3, "the words of this prophecy." the testimony of Jesus--"the Spirit of prophecy" (Rev 19:10). and of all things that, &c.--The oldest manuscripts omit "and." Translate, "whatsoever things he saw," in apposition with "the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 97:12: Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous,.... In the word of the Lord, as the Targum; in Christ, the essential Word, in his person, the greatness, glory, and fulness of it; in his righteousness, and in salvation by him, and that always; see Phi 4:4, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness; of his essential holiness, as a divine Person, in which he is glorious, and which appears in all that he has done; and of the holiness of his nature and life, as man and Mediator, which are imputed to his people for their justification; and at the remembrance of that holiness”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 89:23: But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,.... The "faithfulness" of God was and is with Christ, in performing promises made to him respecting his work, and strength to do it, as man, and the glory that should follow; and also those made to his people in him, relating to grace here, and happiness hereafter: and though there was no "mercy" shown to Christ, as the surety of his people, but he was dealt with in strict justice; yet, as Mediator of the covenant, the special mercy of God is with him, even every blessing of it, called "the sure mercies of David"; a”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 11:6: And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom,.... Either of sound doctrine, in opposition to his own doctrine he had such a vain opinion of; and then he would see, as he thought, that it was not so pure as he imagined it to be: the Gospel, and the doctrines of it, are the wisdom of God, the produce of it, and in which it is displayed; as in the doctrines of election to grace and glory, of redemption by Christ, of justification by his righteousness, and pardon by his blood; by which all the divine perfections are glorified, the justice and holiness of God, as well as”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:88: Here is, 1. David in care to be found in the way of his duty. His constant desire and design are to keep the testimony of God's mouth, to keep to it as his rule and to keep hold of it as his confidence and portion for ever. This we must keep, whatever we lose. 2. David at prayer for divine grace to assist him therein: "Quicken me after thy lovingkindness (make me alive and make me lively), so shall I keep thy testimonies," implying that otherwise he should not keep them. We cannot proceed, nor persevere, in the good way, unless God quicken us and put life into u”
Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 5:31: And we are his witnesses of these things,.... Of the incarnation of Christ, of his crucifixion and death, of his resurrection from the dead, of his exaltation by the right hand of God, and of his offices as a Prince and a Saviour, and of the influences of his grace, in giving repentance and remission of sins to his people; and even to many of the Jews, who had been his crucifiers, and who were now converted under the ministry of the apostles: and so is also the Holy Ghost; in his descent upon the apostles, through the miraculous gifts bestowed upon them, and the wonde”

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