Definition: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important passage from Acts 2:23. It's a really powerful and significant verse that speaks about God’s plan and intervention. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes the moment when the Holy Spirit comes to live among people – specifically, the believers in Jerusalem. It's saying God already knew what was going to happen, and He then guided those believers to take action that would result in a significant change. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Him” : This refers to Jesus Christ. “being delivered…” : This means Jesus was rescued from danger or hardship. “…by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” : This is the crucial part. “Counsel” means a plan or arrangement, and “foreknowledge” means knowing something in advance. So, God knew that Jesus would be brought to Jerusalem and that He would be crucified. It wasn't just a random event; it was planned . “ye have taken…” : This is the action – the believers took responsibility for this plan. “…and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” : This describes what they did: they had Jesus nailed to the cross. “Wicked hands” refers to the Roman soldiers who were executing him. "Crossed and slain" means he was killed. Putting it all together – a simpler explanation: God knew that Jesus would be brought to Jerusalem, and He guided those believers to take action – to carry out this plan. They acted in accordance with God’s will, even though they were facing danger and hardship. Why is this important? This verse highlights several key things about God's relationship with humanity: God’s Sovereignty: It shows that God has complete control over events, even when we don't understand them. Divine Guidance: It emphasizes that God works through us and gives us direction. Faith and Obedience: It underscores the importance of trusting in God and following His plan, even when it seems difficult. In essence, this verse tells us that God’s plan for humanity is already underway, and we are called to participate in that plan through our faith and obedience. --- Resources if you want to learn more: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:23](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:23) The Bible Project: [https://thebibletreaty.com/acts-2-23-verse-meaning](https://thebibletreaty.com/acts-2-23-verse-meaning) Would you like me to explain anything in more detail, or perhaps delve into a specific aspect of this verse?