The word ‘Providence’ in the Greek is ‘pronoieo’ translated literally means “forethought” (pro, before, and noieo, to think, consider, understand). Our English word comes from the Latin word ‘provideo’ (pro, before and video, to see).
God’s ‘providence’ is a word used to refer to His foreseeing and making available to man those things that he needs and under God’s discretion, some things that man wants. It is manifested both physically and spiritually. His providence is holy and sovereign having the key attributes of righteousness and justice and it covers all of His creation. “Providence is that continuous agency of God by which He makes all the events of the physical and moral universe fulfill the original design with which He created it” (Strong, Systematic Theology, p. 419).
Examples of God’s providence is replete throughout scripture. From the beginning in His dealings with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the establishment of a people to call His own (Genesis), to Moses and his efforts to free the Israelite nation (Exodus), to each of the judges, kings and all the prophets of the Old Testament and even to now. Rom. 8:28 tells us in short and to paraphrase that “God is in control.”
The nature of God’s providence is evident in His very creation in that He created the heavens, the earth and all things in them. He created ‘time’ as He is eternal. He put into place a natural order with the expectation and requirement that His Will would be accomplished, although He gives us the ability of free-will. This is so that for whatever decisions we make, His purposes will be served. God’s providence exists for all, both the saved and the lost for the purpose of His providence is to bring all into the knowledge of Him.
In the book of Acts, one of the most profound examples of providence is shown in chapter-3 with the lame man who was placed at the entrance of the temple gate every day. This man had no idea of his future (day-by-day) and had no expectation that this day would be any different than any other day. John and Peter may have known of him from their visits to the temple (Lk. 24:53) but did not know that this day was going to be different. They did not go to the temple with the expectation of healing him as the conversation was initiated by the lame man asking for alms of everyone passing by. What they were about to do though would not only change the man’s life but bring tremendous glory to God in a very public way. While this was a miracle, the events leading up to it were coordinated by God and the results clearly a part of God’s overall plan of proving the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. This shows that God’s providence is timeless, always working and one can never anticipate when his plan may reveal itself. God’s providential plan continued in chapter-4 with the encounter between John and Peter and the chief priests in that they could not deny what had been done, all the people witnessed it, and they had no way to refute or punish them. This would have had an effect on nearly every Jew in the capital city of Jerusalem. A lame man over 40-years of age, healed by a follower of Jesus, at the temple, during prime time, in front of everyone. Luke says it best in Acts 4:26-30. This was God’s providence spanning both a moment in time plus 40-years and the effect was earth-shaking, verse 31.
In Acts 6 and 7, God’s providence is shown in Stephen’s interaction with the council for which Saul (later Paul) was in attendance. Stephen likely did not know that his testimony would strike at the heart of the Jewish leadership or that he would be stoned that day. Saul did not know that the events of this day or his persecutions of the church would ultimately bring him to a face-face conversation with Jesus later (Acts 9). Yet God knew and orchestrated things to providentially save both.
In Acts chapter 9 during Saul’s persecution of the church, God’s providence was evident in guiding him towards Damascus where, unbeknownst to him, he would encounter Jesus and be converted into the very thing he was persecuting. Saul was not an ordinary Pharisee nor was he a typical Jew. He was well taught and knew thoroughly the Law. He was well spoken, respected in the Jewish community, a native-born Roman citizen (which comes into play later) and had all the characteristics of being a most valuable tool for the Lord. He was the greatest opportunity along with Peter to further the gospel message from within the Jewish community. Only through God’s personal providence in his life could this be accomplished. As such his conversion in Acts 9 is compelling for no man could have convinced him of the error of his ways except Jesus. Once converted though, Saul, now Paul became what could arguably be the greatest of apostles for the latter part of the book is mostly about Paul and his journeys to spread the good news to both Jews and Gentiles. Let us look at the last 8-chapters of Acts where God’s providence shaped events for the furtherance of the gospel message.
In the latter part of chapter 19 after the great book burning in verse 21, Paul while in Ephesus received his final travel itinerary through the Spirit which would eventually lead him to Rome. Ephesus was a city of some wealth and wrought with idolatry to any number of gods (mainly ‘Artemis’) and a strong market in metals, particularly silver. This employed a lot of people in an estimated population of around 200,000 – 250,000. Paul through the Spirit saw this as an opportunity to impact many people in very short order as the entire economy was based on idols. In just over 2-years, Paul had already proven Christ and the gospel message to a great number of Ephesians and the church was growing rapidly. The message of Christ began to conflict with commerce (v24ff). An angry crowd develops feeling their livelihoods were being threatened due to Paul’s assertion that there is only one true God. Nevertheless, Paul never gets to speak to the growing impetuous crowd, but the matter is handled by the ‘town clerk’. Had Paul spoken to the crowd, he would not have been able to make a spiritual argument that they would be willing accept, and simultaneously satisfy the needs of commerce which was most important to the Ephesians and least important to Paul. The Spirit concerns himself with spiritual matters and not matters of commerce. God’s providence protected Paul from himself in this case while simultaneously using the lowly town clerk (and probably some of Paul’s attending disciples) to settle the matter for now. God’s providence regulates both the immediate and the long-term in this situation. Some religious changes take more time than others relative to the acceptability or receptivity of its participants. The Ephesian economy was so heavily dependent on idolatry for its economy that they would not have been able to accept God’s truth and the gospel message of Christ without comparing it to how the bills get paid. Paul probably knew of this dilemma but did not care or was unable to measure its impact. God managed the immediate situation of an immature population towards the long-term goal of building the church in Ephesus. If Paul had spoken to the crowds, there would have been a severe riot, the church likely harmed, and the Ephesians dug in deeper into their idolatry.
Beginning in Acts 20:3 where Paul was in Greece and a plot to murder him was brought to his attention, he returned to Macedonia. Through God’s providence, Paul was alerted to every circumstance where the Jews plotted against his life and the Spirit led him to appropriate action to escape the threat. Paul also saves a little boy who falls 3-stories to his death which confirmed that he had the power of God in what he had been teaching by healing the boy. Further in verse 22 where Paul speaks of his upcoming trip to Jerusalem (constrained by the Spirit) knowing that imprisonment and afflictions await him, this was God’s providence in revealing to him future events. He knew that he would not be returning and wanted the elders from Ephesus to know what awaited them, yet again, another providential prophecy spoken by the apostle for which the Spirit revealed to him. This continued in chapter 21 whereby through prophecy it was made clear to Paul what awaited him in Jerusalem. Once he arrived (v17), Paul was well greeted by the disciples and was given an update as to the ministry he started. Nevertheless, there were still many of the Jews still following the Law of Moses and it is these Jews who posed a more significant risk to Paul’s life. God’s providence protected Paul from death (although not a severe beating) by the Jews by having word sent so that Roman soldiers would intervene. This could have been the end of Paul’s life but was not to be according to God’s plan. In chapter 22, Paul is allowed to address the crowd and give his testimony of conversion and they all patiently listened until verse 22. The last time Paul was in Jerusalem was when he persecuted the church and on his way to Damascus. This was his opportunity to tell them two things; 1) Why he became a follower of Jesus, and 2) The Gentiles are now included in the plan of salvation. Paul was under temporary protection so they could not seize him. The latter part of chapter 22 secures Paul’s protection. It is at this point that Paul’s Roman citizenship becomes of significant value as it keeps him from being flogged. God used the Roman centurions to save Paul’s life and to further act as his protectors while gaining an audience with the people and now the chief priests as recorded in chapter 23, thus everyone that God needed to be there was there.
In chapter 23, we see that Paul addresses the council and high priest (pro tem) Ananias. Paul recognized that both Sadducees and Pharisees were in attendance and used this information to tactically take the focus off himself and between themselves regarding the resurrection. The debate over resurrection was not a small one as without it, Christianity could not exist. There were similarities of belief between the two but they did not agree on the resurrection. Paul was a Pharisee and announced this securing his interest from the Pharisees who controlled matters of religion of the people more-so than the Sadducees. A divided quorum cannot adequately exercise jurisprudence. This is similar to what happened in Acts 14:4. In the latter part of chapter 23, we have more than 40 Jews sealed by an oath to kill Paul. This conspiracy was overheard by the son of Paul’s sister who notified Paul, and who then notified the captain of the guard. That it was Paul’s nephew may or may not be significant but what is significant is that God provided Paul, yet again, with information that he needed to know. This resulted in Paul being moved by night to preserve his life.
Chapter 24 recounts the trial with the Roman governor Felix. The significance of providence here is in how Paul responds to the charges made by the Jews and in decimating their case. Nothing could be proven to have been done wrong. In verse 25, we see the true nature of Felix’s character as Paul teaches him the power of Christ in righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement. Felix dismissed Paul from a troubled conscience, but the word had its intended effect. Felix was troubled; but instead of asking what he should do, as the Philippian jailor did in Acts 16:30-31, he sent the messenger of God away. He was evidently not prepared to break off his sins and turn to God. This was a remarkable instance of the effect of truth on the mind of a man unwilling to repent due to a stronger desire for personal wealth and self.
In chapters 25 and 26, Paul again expertly defended himself with the truth of what he was before and after conversion and the Jews had no valid case against him. Of interest here is that the Jews accused Paul of many different things but offered no evidence to support any of the charges. This was a frustration for Paul that the Roman judicial process had become so political and the Jews unrelenting. It is what resulted in his appeal to Caesar (25:11). Festus attempted to undermine the proceedings by suggesting that Paul had lost his senses, but Paul was able to boldly counter that claim (26:24-25). King Agrippa was so impressed with Paul’s dissertation that he suggested that Paul might be trying to convince him to become a Christian and Paul did not shy away from that possibility (26:28-29). God shaped the circumstances for Paul’s audience and the Holy Spirit gave Paul the words he needed to speak. The result is a man untouchable by both Roman and Jewish law.
God’s providence is evident locally in Paul himself and his handling of both Jewish and Roman leadership. It is evident geographically in that this is all occurring in the capital city and the center of the Jewish religion worldwide. Agrippa finally concedes to Paul’s innocence (26:32).
Acts 27 is all about the travels and troubles aboard the ship that was to eventually deliver Paul to Rome. Providence in this chapter is revealed in how Paul was able to reassure the 276 souls that they would be saved if they followed his instructions, as revealed by God. Paul was able to provide food sufficient to feed everyone. They threw wheat overboard to lighten the ship, yet hunger seemed to be a real problem as noted in several verses. God placed a friend, Julius as an advocate for Paul aboard the ship. Though nothing is said of his religious affiliation, it only matters that he respected Paul and considered him a friend. This became significant when they ran aground on an island (later known as Melita or Malta) and a soldier wanted to kill the prisoners for fear they would escape, Julius likely was the centurion that prevented this from happening.
After some significant period, a trip that would have normally been a few weeks turned into a journey lasting several months. Why would God allow for those events to occur at that time before Paul reached Rome? Only God knows but it would be reasonable to suggest that the environment in Rome was not right for Paul to be introduced into at that time.
The final chapter of book of Acts details some activity on the island where Paul was struck by a poisonous viper and suffered no harm. God showed His approval of Paul in the eyes of the natives who did not yet know God, but this was an opening to introduce the message of Christ to this population. The gospel message of Jesus was confirmed by many miracle healings by Paul’s hand. God’s providence was working throughout Paul’s travels and many of the people with him saw the things that he did. It would not be surprising if most, if not all, of the men traveling with him obeyed the gospel of Christ during this time. They could not see all this happening and not have been greatly affected.
Paul’s arrival into Rome was greeted by what would appear to be brethren from some distance suggesting more than a few. This was a great encouragement to Paul and God provided for his arrival and him being able to teach the gospel mostly freely for at least 2-years after. Being allowed to stay by himself (v16) with a soldier that guarded him (more to protect Paul than keeping him from escaping) was through God’s providence. Paul was now capable of teaching the gospel to everyone from a relatively safe position in the center of the known world. Of significance in this chapter is Paul’s conciliatory statements from verse 25 quoting Isa. 6:9-10. There will be some that listen and others who do not.
God continued to work through Paul for the time that he was in Rome where he wrote his letters to both the Corinthians and the Galations. His impact in the city of Rome is felt even unto this day where the country of Italy has only affiliated itself with Christianity since its existence.
It is sufficient to say that in conclusion that God’s providence is operating in every aspect of everyone’s life whether consciously realized or not. Yet He does so without any imposition on our free-will. He knows us completely and how we are likely to respond to any given set of circumstances and He can allow our choices, whatever they may be, to ultimately work towards His will and purpose. Providence is one of the least studied and understood aspects of our faith and should be studied more because there are those who would challenge God’s involvement in the world because of their perceived view of His authority or lack thereof.
