The bug
Creepers are capable of stopping their detonation if the player has gotten too far away. However, it seems that the only check is whether the player is nearby, and not whether or not the player is in Survival mode.
Steps to reproduce
Go near a creeper in Survival mode
Back away as soon as its fuse starts
✔ It doesn't explode
Go near the creeper again
Switch to creative mode as soon as its fuse starts
❌ It explodes
Duplicate of MC-179072.