Theme Text– Jesus saith unto her, ‘Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship’ (John 4:21-22 KJV).
1) Who do today’s mainstream Christian churches worship?
The Athanasian Creed, widely accepted by Protestant denominations and the Vatican says:
‘We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity…For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one…The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated…The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal…not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite…the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty…yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God.…The Father is…neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten…the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So…the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He…that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity’.
It’s a Creed that says we should worship three Persons – Father, Son & Holy Ghost/Spirit – but then states all three are actually one God. Sure, it does sound a bit difficult to understand.
2) Some might say, ‘Do we really need to understand this? Isn’t it supposed to be mystic and incomprehensible?’
The apt question would be – Is such a mindset scripturally right? Didn’t Jesus actually rebuke the Samaritan woman for not understanding what she was worshipping?
Didn’t he say ‘Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship’ (John 4:22 KJV)?
3) So who, according to the Scriptures, is to be worshipped?
- Jesus said he knew who he worshipped (John 4:22). He clarified it was the Father (John 4:23). So we learn from Jesus that God the Father is to be worshipped.
- The Scriptures say another person also should be worshipped – Jesus Christ.
When God brings his firstborn [Jesus] into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’ (Hebrews 1:6).
Pay homage to the Son or He [God] will be angry (Psalm 2:12 HCSB)We notice that God expects everyone to submit and pay homage to His Son Jesus Christ.
He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:23 NASB).
Those who were in the boat worshiped him [Jesus], saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.’ (Matthew 14:33).
The Scriptures are very strict in terms of who mankind can worship. They forbid us from worshipping any others – be it angels, spirits, fellow human beings, animals, idols or images.
Revelation Chapters 4&5 confirm this, portraying God and Jesus (the Lamb of God) as worthy of worship. Okay, let’s try to understand more about God and Jesus then. We will also study the Holy Spirit.
Read Next: God Almighty – Who is it?
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