Proposition # 5: The Bible speaks of Jesus’ being prayed to, and even worshipped. This proves that he is God.
Response: Concerning worship, David Chilton, a trinitarian, wrote on page 479 of DAYS OF VENGEANCE:
“…the term worship (in Greek, proskuneo) simply means the custom of prostrating oneself before a person and kissing his feet, the hem of his garment, the ground, etc., and can be used not only for the homage paid to God (or, sinfully, to a false god), but also for the proper reverence due superiors (see, e.g., the LXX usage in Gen. 18:2; 19:1; 23:7, 12; 33:3, 6-7; 9-10; 42:6; 43:26, 28; 49:8).
So the Greek word proskuneo [Strong’s # 4352] has a broader meaning than what the modern English speaker assigns to the word worship and can rightfully be used in showing respect to persons considered one’s superiors.[1] In fact, Revelation 5:8-14 shows heavenly and earthly creatures praising and worshipping Jesus, the Lamb of God, for what he has accomplished! [2]
Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father, but by me,” so we cannot worship God in spirit and truth if we do not recognize the place the Son holds in His scheme of things. Besides, John 5:23 says “that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” Since the original Bible terms for worship can refer to “proper reverence due superiors,” worshipping Jesus does not prove he is God, but that he is our superior to whom we owe allegiance. – John 4:23
When Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them to pray, he replied, “When you pray, say, ‘Father…’” (Luke 11:2) So normally prayers would be addressed to the Father. When Jesus gave this instruction the Mosaic Covenant was in force. Now that the New Covenant is in force and Jesus is our mediator, praying to him would seem to be appropriate. At John 14:14 Jesus says to his disciples, “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” Acts 9:14; 22:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:2 speak of those who “call upon the name” of Jesus, presumably in prayer, [3] not just in worship. On the other hand, in most, if not all, instances where Jesus is spoken to after his ascension it appears to be in vision. There is no context in the Christian Testament where prayer is directed specifically “to Jesus.” There are three contexts where prayer is directed or is prospectively directed to “the Lord;” do these refer to God or to Jesus? See Acts 1:24, 25; 8:22-24; and James 5:14, 15.
Regardless of one’s decision on this issue, praying to Jesus would not prove that he is God. As the mediator between sinful humankind and God, he cannot be God. Rather, Jesus answers prayers so that “the Father may be glorified in the Son” as he stated in John 14:13.
[1] Shachah [Strong’s # 7812], the Hebrew word most commonly translated as worship, also means to bow down and is used in reference to kings or others of superior rank. See 1 Samuel 24:8; 25:23, 41. [Prop # 5]
[2] Concerning Jesus Hebrews 1:6 says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Surely the angels would know if Jesus were the second person of the Godhead; so why would they need to be instructed to worship him? [Prop # 5]
[3] For verses wherein ‘calling upon’ refers to prayer see 1 Kings 18:24, 36, 37; 2 Kings 5:11; Jonah 1:6. [Prop # 5]