The Supernatural Nature of Evangelism Efforts in Christianity
The supernatural nature of evangelism in Christianity is understood through the lens of divine intervention and spiritual empowerment, rather than solely human effort. This perspective emphasizes that the effectiveness of evangelistic endeavors ultimately stems from God's direct agency and the work of the Holy Spirit, often manifesting in ways that transcend natural human capabilities [1].
Central to this understanding is the concept of a "miracle," defined as an event in the external world brought about by the immediate agency or simple volition of God. Such an event operates without discernible natural means and is designed to authenticate a divine commission or the truth of a message [1]. In the context of evangelism, this can refer not only to overt miraculous signs but also to the internal transformation of individuals, which is seen as a supernatural work of God. The Bible frequently describes God's power as operating above nature and human limitations, interrupting fixed laws through a supernatural force [1]. For instance, the psalmist celebrates God's mighty power as illustrated in His dominion over the natural world, including its most terrible and wonderful exhibitions [7]. Job also speaks of God "thunder[ing] marvellously with his voice," producing effects that seem almost incredible [6].
The New Testament highlights the role of "spiritual gifts" (Greek: charismata), which are supernaturally bestowed on Christians for the edification of the body of Christ [4]. These gifts, such as speaking with tongues, casting out devils, and healing, were considered results of the extraordinary operation of the Holy Spirit, particularly evident from the Day of Pentecost [4]. While some traditions hold that these gifts were primarily enjoyed for a time in the early Church and would not continue always [4], their initial manifestation underscores a period where evangelism was demonstrably accompanied by supernatural phenomena. The laying on of hands by apostles was often the medium through which these gifts were communicated [4].
The very message of the Gospel itself is presented as having a supernatural origin, not as a "cunningly devised fable" or a human contrivance [9]. Matthew Henry, commenting on 2 Peter 1:16, emphasizes that the way of salvation by Jesus Christ is "the counsel of God, the most excellent contrivance of the infinitely wise Jehovah," who invented this method of saving sinners [9]. This divine origin implies that the communication and reception of this message are not purely natural processes but involve God's active participation.
Furthermore, the Bible speaks of "angels" as spiritual beings exalted above humanity, whose office includes serving God in heaven and, by His appointment, succoring and defending people on earth [2]. While not directly evangelists themselves, angels are often depicted as messengers of God, sometimes even manifesting as God Himself in the Old Testament [2]. Their involvement in divine plans suggests a supernatural dimension to God's interaction with humanity, which can indirectly support evangelistic efforts. The book of Jude, for example, refers to "supernatural beings" or "glorious ones," likely evil angels, whose role in judgment highlights the spiritual realities beyond human perception that impact the world [5].
The human nature of Christ was essential to his mediatorial office [3]. Jesus's life, marked by his conception in the Virgin's womb, birth, partaking of flesh and blood, and experiencing human emotions like weeping, hungering, thirsting, and weariness, demonstrates his full humanity [3]. Yet, his ministry was also characterized by supernatural power, performing miracles that authenticated his divine commission [1]. This dual nature—fully human, fully divine—is foundational to the Christian understanding of salvation and, by extension, evangelism. The power that accompanied Jesus's preaching and that of his apostles was not merely rhetorical skill but divine authority.
Even when human agents are involved in evangelism, the ultimate efficacy is attributed to God. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on 2 Kings 4:34, illustrates this principle by describing Elisha's actions in restoring the Shunammite's son. Elisha used natural means, such as laying upon the child to convey warmth and attempting to inflate the lungs, while simultaneously praying for God to exert a miraculous influence [8]. Clarke concludes that "Natural means are in our power; those that are supernatural belong to God. We should always do our own work, and beg of God to do his" [8]. This perspective suggests that while evangelists employ human communication and effort, they rely on God to perform the supernatural work of conversion and spiritual awakening.
Therefore, the supernatural nature of evangelism is not merely about extraordinary signs, but about the underlying conviction that God is actively involved in the process of bringing individuals to faith. This involvement includes the divine origin of the message, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and God's direct agency in transforming hearts and minds, which are seen as acts beyond human capability.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Miracle — An event in the external world brought about by the immediate agency or the simple volition of God, operating without the use of means capable of being discerned by the senses, and designed to authenticate the divine commission of a religious teacher and the truth of his message (John 2:18; Matt. 12:38). It is an occurrence at once above nature and above man. It shows the intervention of a power that is not limited by the laws either of matter or of mind, a power interrupting the fixed laws which govern their movements, a supernatural power. "The suspension”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Angels — By the word "angels" (i.e. "messengers" of God) we ordinarily understand a race of spiritual beings of a nature exalted far above that of man, although infinitely removed from that of God--whose office is "to do him service in heaven, and by his appointment to succor and defend men on earth. I. Scriptural use of the word .--There are many passages in which the expression "angel of God" is certainly used for a manifestation of God himself (Genesis 22:11) with Genesis 22:12 and Exod 3:2 with Exod 3:6 and Exod 3:14 It is to be observed, also, that side by side w”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gifts, spiritual — (Gr. charismata), gifts supernaturally bestowed on the early Christians, each having his own proper gift or gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. These were the result of the extraordinary operation of the Spirit, as on the day of Pentecost. They were the gifts of speaking with tongues, casting out devils, healing, etc. (Mark 16:17, 18), usually communicated by the medium of the laying on of the hands of the apostles (Acts 8:17; 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14). These charismata were enjoyed only for a time. They could not continue always in the Churc”
- Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 1:8: 1:8 supernatural beings: Literally glorious ones, which are probably evil angels. In the Old Testament and in Judaism, angels were given a prominent role in the judgment. The false teachers might have been downplaying the reality of a judgment to come (see 1:18; 2 Pet 3:3-4) or denying the glorious origin of these fallen angels (cp. 2 Pet 2:10).”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 37:5: God thundereth marvellously with his voice,.... Or "marvels" (c), or marvellous things, which may respect the marvellous effects of thunder and lightning: such as rending rocks and mountains; throwing down high and strong towers; shattering to pieces high and mighty oaks and cedars, and other such like effects, mentioned in Psa 29:5; and there are some things reported which seem almost incredible, were they not well attested facts; as that an egg should be consumed thereby, and the shell unhurt; a cask of liquor, the liquor in it spoiled, and the cask not touched; money ”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 29 (introduction): Trust in God is encouraged by the celebration of His mighty power as illustrated in His dominion over the natural world, in some of its most terrible and wonderful exhibitions. (Psa 29:1-11) Give--or, "ascribe" (Deu 32:3). mighty--or, "sons of the mighty" (Psa 89:6). Heavenly beings, as angels.”
- 2 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Kings 4:34: Lay upon the child - Endeavored to convey a portion of his own natural warmth to the body of the child; and probably endeavored, by blowing into the child's mouth, to inflate the lungs, and restore respiration. He uses every natural means in his power to restore life, while praying to the Author of it to exert a miraculous influence. Natural means are in our power; those that are supernatural belong to God. We should always do our own work, and beg of God to do his.”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:16: Here we have the reason of giving the foregoing exhortation, and that with so much diligence and seriousness. These things are not idle tales, or a vain thing, but of undoubted truth and vast concern. The gospel is not a cunningly devised fable. These are not the words of one who hath a devil, nor the contrivance of any number of men who by cunning craftiness endeavour to deceive. The way of salvation by Jesus Christ is eminently the counsel of God, the most excellent contrivance of the infinitely wise Jehovah; it was he that invented this way of saving sinners b”