And nowhere are we required to affirm more than this. But we can not leave it at this when challenged by others such as Muslims and Jews. Why do we worship Jesus? I would say that Jesus often gets as much or more worship than God.Anymore, I extend my hand of spiritual fellowship to any who say they believe that Jesus is the unique Son of God. Beyond that it matters little to me.
This is not merely an academic matter and we can not leave it at that.
Moses records God as saying:
Exodus 34:14 (NASB)
14. —for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God—
Which Jesus affirms:
Luke 4:8 (NASB)
8. Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
But we find:
Hebrews 1:6 (NASB)
6. And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says,
“And let all the angels of God worship Him.”
Matthew 14:33 (NASB)
33. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
Matthew 28:16-17 (NASB)
16. But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
Why did Jesus not rebuke them for worshipping Him? Why did the earliest Christians, including Polycarp who was taught by the apostles, believe Jesus was God? Why do Christians worship Jesus today? Are they wrong in doing so? If He is not God do Christians today sin in their worship practice?Polycarp 12:2
Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal
High-priest Himself the [Son of God Jesus Christ, build you up in
faith and truth, and in all gentleness and in all avoidance of wrath
and in forbearance and long suffering and in patient endurance and in
purity; and may He grant unto you a lot and portion among His saints,
and to us with you, and to all that are under heaven, who shall
believe on our Lord and God Jesus Christ and on His Father that
raised him from the dead.
Ignatius to the Ephesians
18:2 For our God, Jesus the Christ, was conceived in
the womb by Mary according to a dispensation, of the
seed of David but also of the Holy Ghost; and He was
born and was baptized that by His passion He might
cleanse water.