No. God was not surprised by the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion.
Acts 2:23 states that Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. Les Feldick teaches that the cross was planned by the Triune Godhead before creation and that God saw every detail in His foreknowledge.
Acts 2:23 — This verse explicitly states that Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, directly answering whether God was surprised.
Psalm 2:2 — This verse shows the rulers of the earth and Israel taking counsel together against the Lord and His anointed, indicating the crucifixion was foreknown and not accidental.
Acts 2:23 declares that Jesus of Nazareth was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, and then crucified and slain by wicked hands. This means the crucifixion happened within God's predetermined plan, even though human actors were responsible for carrying it out. Psalm 2:2 describes the kings of the earth and rulers taking counsel together against the LORD and against His anointed. Peter's sermon in Acts 2 uses language that echoes this, showing that the rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah were not out of God's control. Jesus Himself also foretold what would happen to Him. Before going up to Jerusalem, He told the Twelve, detail by detail, that He would be scourged, beaten, put to death, and raised on the third day.
Les Feldick teaches emphatically that God was not caught by surprise when Israel rejected the Messiah or when Rome crucified Him. He points to Acts 2:23, where Peter says Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. Les explains that this determinate counsel was the decision of the Triune Godhead made in eternity past. Les also emphasizes that both Israel and the Gentile rulers of the earth were involved in putting Christ to death. He uses Psalm 2 to show that Jew and Gentile together conspired against the Lord's Anointed. Therefore, Israel alone was not guilty of killing Christ. Furthermore, Les teaches that the cross was the highlight of God's predetermined plan for the ages. Long before anything was created, the Godhead determined to create the human race, knowing that humanity would sin and need a Redeemer. In His foreknowledge, God saw every detail of history, including the crucifixion, so nothing took Him by surprise.
Les Feldick explains that the determinate counsel of God was the full agreement of the Godhead. Back in eternity past, the Triune God determined a plan for the ages. In His foreknowledge, God could see every detail of that plan coming down through history. Thus, when Peter says Jesus was delivered by God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge, it means the crucifixion was part of God's eternal purpose.
No. Les Feldick points to Psalm 2, which says the rulers of Israel and the kings of the earth would consort together and put the Messiah to death. He concludes that Jew and Gentile together consulted and crucified Jesus. Therefore, it is not biblical to say Israel alone is guilty of killing Christ.
Yes. Les Feldick reminds us that Jesus told the Twelve, just before they went up to Jerusalem, exactly what would happen to Him—that He would be scourged, beaten, put to death, and raised on the third day. Jesus knew this not only during His earthly ministry but from eternity past.
Acts 4 Explained: The Only Name That Can Save You
of God does. Does the Word of God ever refer to these Jewish believers who are primarily centered around Jerusalem? Does it ever call them Christians? Well, no it doesn't, but if you can find it, I'll admit that I'm wrong and you're right. But the Word never refers to these Jewish believers as Christians. Acts 15? No. Acts 11.
Predetermined by determinate counsel
Les draws on Acts 2 to show that Jesus was delivered by God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge, so God was not surprised by Rome's or Israel's actions.
Jew and Gentile together in Psalm 2
Les reads Psalm 2 as showing the rulers of earth and Israel jointly plotted the Messiah's death; he concludes God's foreknowledge meant no surprise.
The cross in God's blueprint
Les says the cross was the highlight of God's predetermined plan laid out before anything was created, so the crucifixion could not have surprised God.
Acts 2:23 and full Godhead agreement
Les explains the determinate counsel was the full agreement of the Godhead, and Peter's accusation implies Israel did not take God by surprise.
Pre-planned before creation
Les says the Godhead decided before creation to create and redeem, knowing the human race would sin and that Israel would reject the King.
The Triune God determined it in eternity
Les expounds Acts 2:23 as evidence the Triune God made the plan for the ages and foresaw every detail of history.
Delivered by determinate counsel
Les quotes Acts 2:23 to stress that Jesus was delivered by God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge before human hands took Him.
Acts 2:23: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
This verse is the central evidence that the crucifixion was part of God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge, not an accident.
Acts 2:22: Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Peter's introduction to Acts 2:23, showing that Jesus was publicly approved by God through miracles before being crucified.
Psalm 2:2: The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
This verse supports the point that both Gentile rulers and Israel's rulers were involved in opposing God's Messiah.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the crucifixion was predetermined by the Triune Godhead in eternity past. Acts 2:23 says Jesus was delivered by God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge, so God was not surprised.
According to Psalm 2 and Les Feldick's teaching, both Jews and Gentiles were involved. The rulers of Israel and the kings of the earth consorted together to put the Messiah to death, so Israel alone was not guilty.
Yes. Jesus told the Twelve, before they went up to Jerusalem, exactly what would happen: He would be scourged, beaten, put to death, and raised on the third day. He knew this from eternity past.
Watch the Teaching: Acts 4 Explained: The Only Name That Can Save You