Surprise!

The Bible ought to surprise us from time to time.  If God's thoughts and ways are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) then we is should come as no surprise that we are surprised!   Take for example Acts 4:28.  While the disciples were praying after the release of Peter and John and acknowledging the crucifixion of Christ they acknowledged that what took place actually had “to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”


Now you don't have to be a Calvinist to give assent to the truth that the atonement was part of God's plan from the beginning (Genesis 3:15).  You might need some encouragement to see that it was, however, not according to God's perfect omniscience, but in fact, as the Greek bears witness, something He actually ordained.  The word used here is προορίζω [pro·or·id·zo] which means "appoint beforehand. So this isn't God "rubber-stamping" man's will.  This is God ordaining what He wanted to occur.
   
But that's not the surprise ....

The disciples also prayed that "God's hand" also did it!   The Greek New Testament (ποιῆσαι ὅσα ἡ χείρ σου καὶ ἡ βουλὴ προώρισεν γενέσθαι) reads that these wicked men did what God's hand did.  Peter had called these men to repent (see 2:38; 3:19) therefore God was holding them morally culpable for their crime.

Now the human mind would love to reconcile these seemingly contradictory statements. You cannot. These wicked men did what God did and He held them accountable.   That ought to surprise you.  Surprise you enough to worship in awe of the majesty and glory of almighty God. 

Warning:  If you try to rationalize this you will fall headlong into heresy.  Be surprised!