What does it mean that Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God in Acts 2:23?
Acts 2:23 teaches that Jesus' death was according to God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge. God had a plan for the ages from eternity past; the Triune God determined it in counsel. In foreknowledge He saw every detail of history. Though men acted by free will, the outcome fulfilled God's predetermined purposes.
Les explains that Acts 2:23 is set in Peter's Day of Pentecost preaching to Israel, where Peter rehearses that they had crucified their Messiah. The verse says Jesus of Nazareth was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, yet they took Him and crucified and slain Him. Les's main point is that God has had a plan for the ages from eternity past. Somewhere back in eternity past, the Triune God in counsel determined that plan. They did not need to sit for an afternoon debating it; in a split second, or however one puts it, they determined it. In His foreknowledge, God could see every detail coming down through history. Even though men and nations have a free will and do pretty much as they think they want, everything still falls exactly as God predetermined, bringing all things to the end of His purposes.
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
More Questions
What is the determinate counsel of God in Acts 2:23?
The determinate counsel of God is the Trinity's pre-creation consultation and agreement about how fallen man would be redeemed.