What does Acts 2:23 say about Jesus' death and God's role in it?
Acts 2:23 states that Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, while wicked hands took and crucified Him. Peter preached this on the day of Pentecost, showing God's predetermined plan and foreknowledge in Christ's death, even as human agents acted wickedly.
Les teaches that Acts 2:23 points back to an eternal counsel within the Godhead. Before anything was called into being, when there was still nothing, the triune God counseled together and in agreement set everything in motion. Peter, preaching on Pentecost, quotes that Christ was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, yet was taken and crucified by wicked hands. Les stresses that the Trinity did not need to deliberate long, but they agreed to create the universe and put one small planet in it. Thus God's foreknowledge and determinate counsel stood behind the cross, while wicked hands carried out the crucifixion.
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
More Questions
Why was Jesus crucified according to Acts 2:23?
Jesus was delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, yet was taken and crucified by wicked hands.