V.R. Williams #fundie books.google.com

Throughout the New Testament, when "proskuneo" is given to those who are there with the purpose of serving God, it isn't accepted. Jesus is the only exception. In fact, Jesus never refused any bow, ever. Let's take a moment to think about this.

People have bowed in worship to just about everything - statues, kings, animals, planets, angels, and so on - and they are warned, scolded, or punished. Yet there's not one example of a person who is punished, scolded, or even warned not to bow to Jesus. Very strange since He did some amazing things, like come down from heaven, forgive sins, and raise the dead.

If we take the perspective Jesus isn't God, then He's more like God than anyone else in creation. So wouldn't someone sometime make the mistake of worshipping Him? This would give Him a chance to set an example with words like, "Don't bow to me; bow to God," or, "Rise, I'm also a servant." Can we just accept there was never a time when bowing was intended or perceived as worship?

Somewhere along the way I found the Greek word "kampto". This word, according to my Bible dictionary, is used four times in Scriptures and means "to bend, bow the knee (the knees) or one's self and is used of worshippers who bend in honour of one in religious veneration (Romans 11: 4; 14: 11; Ephesians 3: 14; Philippians 2: 10)." "Kampto" has only one meaning: worshippers bending in honour of the one they revere. Let's have a look at Philippians 2: 9-11 where the knees are bent to Jesus:

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Here Jesus is exalted and given the name above every name, not only in this age but in the age to come (Ephesians 1: 20-21). Think about this for a minute. What name will be so great everyone, from those under the earth to the highest of angels, will bend their knees? When do angels, who aren't fallen, bend the knee to anyone except God? Jesus is worshipped.

One last thought. How can the Father be honored as God without honoring Jesus as God? After all, both are to be equally honoured (John 5: 23), and worship is honour.

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Confused?

So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!

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