"WORSHIP
HIM"
Hebrews 1:6
Even when the Lord Jesus Christ first came into the world as a
man, as the baby was breaking his mother’s womb, coming into the world to save
his people from their sins according to the will of God, the Lord God demanded
that “all the angels of God worship him.” Did I say, “Even”?
Especially then, and especially for that reason, the Lord God demanded that “all
the angels of God worship him.”
The fact that our
Lord Jesus Christ is the proper Object of worship demonstrates that he is God. If Jesus Christ was a mere man, or even
the highest creature of God, if he is anything less than God himself, it would
be idolatrous and damning for men and women to worship. But both the angels of
God and all men are commanded in the Scriptures to do so (John 5:23; Ps. 2:12)
because Christ the Man is our great God.
THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF INSTRUCTS US TO
EXERCISE FAITH AND HOPE IN HIM (John 10:27-30; 14:1). When the Jews heard our Lord's words, they
very rightly concluded, "Thou, being a man, makest thyself God."
They were enraged by his claim, and tried to kill him on the spot for making
it. Had it been a false claim, their rage would have been justified! Our Lord
commands and encourages us to trust him confidently and be at peace, because he
is God, worthy of our trust.
BAPTISM, THE BELIEVER'S CONFESSION OF
FAITH, IS TO BE PERFORMED IN THE NAME OF CHRIST, WHICH IS THE SAME THING AS
PERFORMING IT IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY TRINITY. Our Savior told us to baptize all who believe the gospel in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). Yet,
when the Apostle Peter commanded his hearers to obey Christ, he said,
"Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ"
(Acts 2:38), making the name of Christ synonymous with that of the triune God.
OUR SAVIOR COMMANDS EVERY BELIEVER TO EAT
THE BREAD AND DRINK THE WINE OF THE MEMORIAL SUPPER IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIM (1 Cor. 11:24-26). In the worship of God
we are given this visible symbol as the only ordinance of worship to be
regularly practiced by God's church. It is a blessed and solemn part of public
worship, by which our hearts draw near to God in holy communion. It is done in
remembrance of Christ. Was he not God, it would be a piece of idolatrous
superstition.
AND OUR LORD JESUS TEACHES US TO PRAY IN
HIS NAME. He assures
us that if we call upon God in his name we will have the petitions that we
desire of him (John 14:14). His name has power with God because he is God. Was
he not God, his name would have no more power with God than the name of the
devil. The fact that he is the proper object of faith, obedience, worship, and
prayer shows that Jesus Christ is himself God.