Baptist Catechism Question 14

Introduction

God has decreed all things that come to pass, and He carries out His decrees in two distinct yet related ways. The first is creation, God’s external work of initiation. The second is providence, God’s work of continuation. In this session, we will cover divine providence in general and next time we will look at a special act of God’s providence as it relates to the first man in the Garden.

Question

Q. 14. What are God's works of providence?

A. 14. God's works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing of all His creatures, and all their actions. (Psalm 145:17; Psalm 104:24; Isaiah 28:29; Hebrews 1:3; Psalm 103:19; Matthew 10:29-31)

Exposition

A. The Meaning of Providence

That which God brought into being through creation, He upholds in being and governs their actions through His providence. He insures that all that He has made continues to be and that they are are directed towards his own infinitely wise will by His infinite power. Next, consider the character of God’s providence.

B. God’s works of providence are most holy, wise, and powerful.

This statement flows logically from what we have already established in our contemplation of God and His attributes. Consider the following linear argument. 1) Those things which are essentially holy work in ways that are holy. 2) God is essentially holy. 3) Therefore, God works in ways that are holy. Providence is one of God’s works. Thus, God’s work of providence is holy. The same logic and argument structure applies to His providence being wise and powerful. Put simply, as God is most holy (1 Samuel 2:2), wise (Psalm 147:5), and powerful (Dan 4:35; Job 42:1-2), so are His works, which include His works of providence.

C. God God’s works of providence include His work of preservation.

God’s work of providence includes His preserving or upholding those things which He has made. Such a notion is required by reason. That which does not possess existence within itself requires that something which does possess existence within itself to give it existence not only initially but also continually. God alone possess existence within Himself. He is the only self-existant being. Thus, all that He has made requires both His initial creation and continual providence to continue in existence. Holy Scripture also bears witness to God’s to God’s upholding providence in Hebrews 1:3 “[Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power." God’s preserving providence is also declared in

D. God’s works of providence include His work of governance.

E. God’s work of providence extends to all His creatures and all their actions.

It extends to inanimate things.

It extends to plants.

It extends to animals.

It extends to angels.

It extends to men.

Uses

1. You are a creature.

2. Humans are all made in God’s image and have dignity and worth.

3. Care should be provided for the whole person: body and soul.

4. Christ is in the work of redeeming the whole person.

Conclusion

Q. 13. How did God create man?

A. 13. God created man as male and female in his image, in knowledge, righteousness, holiness, and with dominion over the creatures. (Genesis 1:26-28; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24).