Hello and thank you for your site. I am hoping to get your feedback. I was reading an opinion of another as he was trying to use Acts 2: 22, 23 in his analogy to help explain the Trinity, particularly vs.23 in reference to the “determinate counsel”. He is implying that the determinate counsel is the Triune God.
I think what the Apostle Peter was saying is that the determinate counsel was the high priest and his bunch that sought to persecute Jesus as foretold by God in PS. 2:2,3. I don’t think Acts 2:23 is a good example for the Trinity, what do you think?
Here’s a case where a modern translation can help us understand what the King James means. Let’s compare them.
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: (Acts 2:23 KJV)
This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. (Acts 2:23 NIV)
The Greek words translated as “determinate counsel” mean something that God ordained or appointed to suit His purpose. The idea that Peter was conveying here is that although it was God’s purpose that Jesus would be crucified, (Isaiah 53:10) and He knew in advance that it would happen, the motives in the hearts of those who killed Him were wicked.
Like you, I don’t see this as a good example for the Trinity.