by Wayne Jackson Christian Courier: Feature Friday, July 1, 2005

Some sincere Christians contend that the child of God may not address Christ, either in praise or through prayer. Will this case stand in the light of critical investigation? Carefully study this issue with us. A sincere brother asks: “Is it ever appropriate to pray to Jesus? Did he not teach us to pray, ‘Our Father’ (Matthew 6:9)? Did he not instruct his disciples that the time would come when nothing would be asked of him (John 16:23)?” Others ask, “Is it appropriate to sing praises wherein Christ is addressed directly?”

There appears to be a sincere, though vocal, minority within the brotherhood of Christ that opposes any form of communication on the part of the Christian with the resurrected and ascended Son of God.

Some allege that no prayer or praise of any sort may be directed to Jesus. Others suggest that while we may not pray to Christ, we are permitted to sing to him. One leading advocate of this theory contends that words may be sung to the Savior, but those identical words become sinful if “spoken” rather than “sung” – even though singing is speaking (Ephesians 5:19). Still others allege that one may “speak” to the Lord (without a melody), but he may not “pray” to him – though the distinction between the two has not been made clear.

In this study, therefore, we propose to address this issue.

Matthew 6:9 What about Matthew 6:9? Does it restrict prayer to the Father alone? The fact that Jesus, in Matthew 6:9, was giving the disciples a brief and general outline of prayer, does not mean that such instruction covered all aspects of the theme. The sketch obviously is abbreviated. For example, there is no mention in this model about praying for the sick. Other biblical texts (e.g., James 5:14), however, allow for such.

There is an interpretive principle which suggests that in related topical contexts, one passage may expand upon another. Compare, for example, Mark 16:16 with Acts 2:38. The former text does not mention repentance, but who will deny that such is required for salvation? If, therefore, there is evidence elsewhere in the New Testament that Christ was addressed in prayer – and that without censure – that should bring the issue into balance.

John 16:23 The context of John 16:23 – “you shall ask me nothing” – is not dealing with whether or not one may “address” Jesus in prayer. Rather, the Lord was emphasizing to the disciples that the questions bothering them at the moment (cf. v. 17), later, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, would be perfectly clear to them. Hence, there would be no need for inquiries of the type they were posing. The fact that later on addresses are made to the Lord establishes the fact that John 16:23 does not speak to that issue.

The Nature of Deity If deity is worthy of worship (cf. Psalm 18:3), and if Jesus is deity (John 10:30), then he is worthy of worship. Jesus himself said that the Son should be honored just as the Father is (John 5:23). And yet, if Christ may not be worshipped, either in prayer or in song (as some allege), how is he to be glorified by his disciples? Does it seem reasonable that we may tell others of his greatness, but we may not breathe one word of thanksgiving to him personally?

Then this point is worthy of serious reflection: if deity is worthy of worship, and if Christ is deity, what position is the Christian in, if he withholds all worship from the Savior, and even opposes such? One of the characteristics of the “man of sin,” as described in Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica, is that he “opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped” (2:4). Christ is designated as “God” (John 1:1; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 1:8), and he accepted worship (Matthew 2:2; 14:33; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:7ff). In whose company does this place those who oppose such today?

If it was right to worship Jesus while he was on earth, why is it now wrong? Did his nature somehow change by virtue of his entrance into heaven, so that now he is less than he was during his earthly ministry?

If one may communicate directly with only the Father, and the Son is thus completely excluded, how does Jesus function in the role of our “mediator” (1 Timothy 2:5)? Does a mediator have any real purpose if he merely stands on the sideline, and is not an active participant in the exchange of the two parties between whom he mediates? If a mediator is functioning on my behalf with another party, may I not communicate with the mediator personally? If not, of what significance is the term “mediator”?

New Testament Precedent Aside from the scriptural/logical points listed above, there is ample New Testament precedent for communication with Christ. Note the following:

1.. In John 14:14, Christ, speaking in anticipation of his ascension back to the Father, promised the disciples: “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (ESV). The pronoun “me” is omitted in some Greek texts, but, as Bruce Metzger has noted, “The word me is adequately supported.” He cites some of the oldest and best manuscript witnesses, and adds that “[me] seems to be appropriate in view of its correlation with ego [ I ] later in the verse” (A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, London: United Bible Societies, 1971, p. 244). For further discussion see: Hovey, Robertson, Lenski, Hendriksen, Morris, etc.

2.. After the ascension of Christ, Peter guided the brethren toward the selection of a new apostle to replace Judas, who had committed suicide. Certain qualifications were imposed, and two names were set forth as candidates, Barsabbas and Matthias. But which one of these was best suited? The disciples sought divine counsel. Luke writes: “And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom you have chosen” (Acts 1:24). The crucial question is this: who is the “Lord” to whom the petition is addressed? The most reasonable answer is that the term refers to Jesus. He is the one who had “chosen” the apostles originally (cf. 1:2, where the same word is used). He is most often ascribed the term “Lord” in the New Testament (unless a text is being taken from the Old Testament), and, in fact, Jesus is so designated in the immediately preceding context (vv. 6,21). A great host of respectable scholars (my survey revealed an overwhelming majority) contend that Christ is the object of this prayer in Acts 1:24 (see Alexander, Barnes, Bloomfield, Bengal, Bruce, Kistemaker, Larkin, Knowling, Williams, Zahn, etc.).

3.. Stephen’s prayer to the Lord is presented unambiguously in Acts 7:59-60, with the obvious endorsement of Jesus himself (as evidenced by the vision). Attempts to nullify this example (by suggesting that the case is miraculous, or that Stephen is merely “speaking with” the Lord, not “praying”) are unconvincing. Is one permitted to do that which intrinsically is wrong – just because the circumstances associated with the event are miraculous? And how can Stephen’s requests be considered a mere conversation, rather than elements of prayer? Guy N. Woods characterized the “view that a person cannot address a petition of any kind to Christ” as “absurd,” and as a reflection of “nit-picking.” He cited the example of Stephen’s prayer as contrary evidence (see Harrell Davidson, Over the Vast Horizon – Authorized Biography of Guy N. Woods, Obion, TN: Harrell Davidson Publishing, 2003, p. 272). Nigel Turner, one of Great Britain’s most respected Greek scholars, contends that this case is a powerful argument for the deity of Christ. He notes: “A pious Hellenistic Jew would not pray to one less than God” (Grammatical Insights Into The New Testament, Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark, 1965, p. 14).

4.. Paul concludes his first Corinthian epistle with this word: “Marana-tha.” The term is Aramaic, and can be rendered (depending upon how it is divided) as either “our Lord came,” or “O Lord, come!” Most Greek scholars (cf. Balz & Schneider, Danker), and the best English translations, believe the latter is preferable. See Revelation 22:20, which definitely reflects the latter sense.

5.. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul recounts being afflicted with that mysterious “thorn in the flesh,” because of the glorious revelation he had experienced 14 years earlier. He states that on three occasions he had begged “the Lord” to remove it (v. 8). Who was the Lord? Let the context speak. The response to Paul’s prayers had been a firm “no” (implied) – with the extension, “My grace is sufficient for you.” The apostle then gloried in the fact that the “power of Christ” would be sufficient for him (v. 9).

6.. In his first letter to the brethren at Thessalonica, one of Paul’s prayers is recorded: “Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you” (3:11). The subject of the sentence is compound, “Father” and “Jesus,” yet the verb, “direct,” is singular. W.E. Vine notes that “this prayer is addressed to the Lord Jesus conjointly with the Father” (1 & 2 Thessalonians, Nashville: Nelson, 1997, p. 78). Other commentators, drawing the same conclusion, are far too numerous to mention.

7.. There is a similar prayer recorded in the second letter to the same church. “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). Again, the subject is compound, yet both verbs (“comfort” and “establish”)

are singular. Scholars are virtually unanimous in the view that the apostle’s prayer is jointly addressed to both the Father and the Son – and what is most unusual in this case is the fact that Jesus is placed first.

8.. In his first epistle to Timothy, Paul uttered these words: “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” (1 Timothy 1:12-13 ESV). The words “I thank” represent the combination of a noun and verb. The noun is charis, “gratitude” or “thanks.” The verb is echo, in the present tense, which can represent either a sustained state or an intermittent activity. The Greek pronoun to is rendered “to him,” a dative case form that has Christ as the indirect object. Robertson translates it: “I have gratitude to” (Word Pictures, Nashville: Broadman, 1931, IV, p. 563). D. Edmond Hiebert notes that Paul’s gratitude “is directed toward” Christ (First Timothy, Chicago: Moody Press, 1957, p. 39). This is not merely a statement about the apostle’s gratitude to the Lord, but an expression of thanksgiving to the Savior. How do you suppose this thanksgiving was conveyed to the Lord? Gordon Fee has observed that while it usually is the case that Paul directs his prayers to God, here his gratitude is directed to Christ (1, 2 Timothy, Titus – New International Biblical Commentary, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1988, p. 50; see also Ralph Earle, 1 Timothy – The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978, p. 354).

9.. In Revelation chapter 5 – the entire section of which is designed to exalt the glorified Christ – John records that the “twenty-four elders” fell down “before the Lamb.” They each had “golden bowls” which, symbolically, contained “incense.” John informs the reader that this incense represented the “prayers of the saints” (5:8). Clearly, these prayers were ascending to Christ. Furthermore, in a song of worship, the Lord Jesus was directly addressed, “Worthy are you” (v. 9). In verse 13, the entire creation offers praise to the Father and Son equally.

10.. In the first chapter of the book of Hebrews, the sacred writer argues for the superiority of Christ over the angels (in pursuing his case that the New Covenant is superior to the Mosaic Covenant). In presenting his cause, he quotes from several different psalms (songs) from the Old Testament. In some of these psalms, the author, by divine inspiration, directly addresses the Messiah in praise. See Psalms 2:9; 45:6ff; 102:25ff. In Psalm 2, David praises the Anointed One with these words: “You shall break them [Jehovah’s enemies] with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (v. 9; cf. Revelation 2:27; 19:15). In Psalm 45:6ff, the singer extols: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; and the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity. Therefore, God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.” Psalm 102, which is both a “prayer” (v. 1) and a song, the lyrics are: “You, Lord [Christ], in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands” (vv. 25ff). Incidentally, this demonstrates that one can sing a prayer (cf. Acts 16:25 Greek text).

Now here is the intriguing question. Since the design of Hebrews, chapter 1, is to establish the deity of Christ, would the inspired writer have employed arguments that involved inspired men singing praises to Christ, if he knew that, in point of fact, Christians are not permitted to praise the Lord in song? Or speak to him in prayer? Such would have undermined the writer’s entire case. Clearly he took for granted the fact that praise to the Lord Jesus was an integral part of Christian worship.

11.. To the saints in Ephesus Paul penned these words. “And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (5:18-19). To whom does the term “Lord” refer in this passage? While a few writers assign it to God, the Father, by far the most contend (on the basis of the most common use of “Lord” in the New Testament, and the context) that the allusion is to Christ. H. Balz & G. Schneider catalog 26 cases in Ephesians where kurios is used of Christ. In no instance, they contend, is kurios used of Yahweh (Jehovah) in this epistle (Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: Eerdman, 1991, Vol. 2, pp. 329-330). Since verses 18-19 are in the form of a command, this would suggest that not only is singing to Christ permissible, it is absolutely required! It is no compelling rebuttal that in a parallel passage (Colossians 3:16) the singing is directed to “God.” Passages that are substantially parallel may vary in particulars and thus supplement one another. These two texts, in concert, simply show that the worship that is directed to the Father is likewise appropriate for the Son (cf. Revelation 5:13b). In the Ephesian text “Christ moves more into the foreground of worship” (Balz, et al., Vol. 3, p. 393).

12.. In Paul’s epistle, commonly known as 1 Corinthians, he directed his message to “the church of God which is at Corinth” and also to “all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place” (1:2). Of special significance is the phrase “call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The term “call” translates the Greek epikaloumenois, a present tense, middle voice participle. The root form is epikaleo, which signifies “to invoke, adore, worship” (J.H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark, 1958, p. 239). One authority says that to “call upon” the name of Christ is to “worship his divine majesty and implore his sovereign protection” (Ceslas Spicq, Theological Lexicon of the New Testament, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994, Vol. 2, p. 350). The present tense form suggests an ongoing action, and the middle voice underscores the strong individual interest of each person who reveres the Savior. To suggest that one may not literally “call” upon the name of the Lord Jesus, in light of this passage, seems quite inconsistent with the text.

“About” or “To” Finally, there is this matter. Is there validity for the position that the Christian may utter praise sentiments about the Lord, but not to the Savior, as some allege? This view does not appear to have the support of Scripture. First, we have demonstrated already that there is ample authority for praising Christ directly – both in prayer and song. Secondly, the scriptures do not make this fine distinction between “about Christ” and “to Christ” that some have suggested. Let us illustrate this in two ways.

1.. In writing to the Romans, Paul makes it clear that his preaching ministry to the Gentiles has been an act of worship. This is suggested by the use of certain Old Testament sacrificial metaphors employed to emphasize his “ministering” (see Romans 15:16; cf. ASVfn) on behalf of the non-Jewish nations. When one preaches about Christ, extolling the Redeemer, he is worshipping him.

2.. Consider also the great song that Moses and the Israelites sang after Jehovah’s conquest over Pharoah’s army (Exodus 15:1ff). In the opening portion of the song, the Lord is referenced in the third person (i.e., he is being spoken about; such terms as “he,” “him,” and “his” are employed). However, beginning at verse 6, Jehovah is addressed in the second person – “your right hand,” “your Excellency,” etc. The Lord is being addressed personally. Then the psalm concludes with a third person usage again (v. 18). It becomes clear that there is no qualitative difference between speaking about the Lord in praise, and speaking to him. Take a look at the well-known Psalm 23 in this light. If, therefore, all songs that speak to Christ are to be expunged from our hymnals, as some are attempting to do, if consistent we must likewise remove those that speak about the Savior. And thus we shall be totally silent with reference to the Son of God.

The Church Fathers The most learned scholar ever produced in the Church of England was Joseph Bingham (1668-1723). His classic work, Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, has never been surpassed, according to McClintock & Strong (Cyclopedia, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1968, Vol. I, p. 814). In this famous historical work, Bingham introduces passage after passage from the early “church fathers” which demonstrate that the primitive church unhesitatingly offered worship to Christ, in both hymns and prayers (Antiquities, London: Henry Bohn, 1865, Vol. I, pp. 576ff).

For example, at the conclusion of his work called Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c. A.D. 150-213) offered a prayer to “Son and Father, both in One, O Lord” (III.XII). He also has a “Hymn to Christ the Saviour,” which contains these sentiments:

“Your simple children bring, In one, that they may sing; In solemn lays, Their hymns of praise, With guileless lips to Christ their King.” Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 263-339), known as the “father of ecclesiastical history,” tells of the martyrdom of a Christian whose name was Porphyry, who was burned alive for the Cause. With his final words, as he approached the flames, he was “calling upon Christ the Son of God, his helper” (Ecclesiastical History, “Martyrs,” XI).

An Historical Source It is well-known also that one of the charges of the pagan writers against the early Christians was their worship of Christ. Pliny (c. A.D. 62-113)

wrote a letter to the Roman emperor Trajan, inquiring as to what should be done with the “Christians” in Bithynia. He stated that these people were “accustomed to meet before daybreak, and to recite a hymn antiphonally to Christ, as to a god” (Epistle X, 96).

Conclusion In this writer’s judgment, the allegation that it is inappropriate to speak to Christ by means of song and/or prayer is a position that cannot be sustained in light of the available evidence.

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