Understanding the Early Christian Prayers: A Jehovah's Witnesses Perspective
The question often arises, 'How can Jehovah's Witnesses deny that the early Christians prayed to Jesus in light of Acts 7:59?' This article aims to provide clarity on this issue by examining the context and details of the passage in question and delving into the principles of Christian prayer as understood by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Contextualizing the Passage
Acts 7:59 is a pivotal moment in the life of Stephen, who was one of the first Christian martyrs. The passage reads, 'They stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”'
Interpreting the Prayers
Some may interpret Stephen's words as a prayer to Jesus. However, the context of the passage suggests that the situation was different. According to Jehovah's Witnesses, Stephen was engaged in conversation with God, not Jesus, as is evident from Acts 7:60, which states, 'And he [Stephen] knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."'
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that in his dying moments, Stephen was deeply concerned with God's will and bearing no grudge against those who were persecuting him. He was calling upon God to bear witness and forgive the persecutors, not praying to Jesus as a mediator.
The Role of Jesus and God the Father
Central to Jehovah's Witnesses' understanding of Christian prayer is the belief that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, is not to be prayed to. The Bible provides clear instructions on this, as seen in Matthew 6:9, where Jesus instructs his followers to 'Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,"'
According to the Witness view, praying to Jesus would be a form of idolatry, as only God the Father, Jehovah, is to be worshipped and prayed to. This belief is based on the doctrine that Jesus is not a separate deity but the faithful and well-beloved Son of God, instructed to pray to God the Father.
Acts 7:59 Explained
When Stephen cried out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,' his words were a farewell to the earthly realm and a request for God's guidance and protection. The phrase 'Lord Jesus' in this context does not indicate that Stephen was praying to Jesus but rather acknowledging him as the representation of God to whom he was talking.
The removal of the definite article ('theos') before 'God' in Stephen's statement (Acts 7:59) emphasizes that he was speaking directly to God, not to a secondary figure like Jesus. This aligns with the Witness interpretation that early Christians were commanded by Jesus to pray to God the Father (John 14:13-14) and to sanctify God's name (Matthew 6:9).
Calling on the Faithful Servant
The term 'Lord Jesus' can also be understood as a form of respect and honor, likening Jesus to a faithful servant rather than a god. Stephen's words reflect his faith in the divine authority of Jesus as God's servant and mediator, not as a deity to be worshipped or prayed to.
Stephen's words also echo Jesus' own words in John 14:13-14, where he instructs his followers to call on him, indicating that he would appeal to God the Father on their behalf. This further supports the view that early Christians were not praying directly to Jesus but were following Jesus' instruction to pray to the Father.
Praying to God the Father
Christians who pray to God the Father do so in accordance with Jesus' teachings, epitomized in Matthew 6:9: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.' This prayer directly addresses God as the Father, as portrayed in the Bible, thereby respecting the hierarchy and calling to prayer's true object.
Furthermore, early Christians, including Stephen, were fully aware of Jesus' command and instruction to pray to the Father. This understanding is crucial in distinguishing between the type of prayers Jesus instructed his followers to make and the misconceptions that may arise from reading passages out of context.
In conclusion, Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that the prayers of early Christians should be understood within the Biblical context and in line with Jesus' explicit instructions. The early Christians' focus was on God the Father, to whom they were to pray, following Jesus' teaching and example.
It is important for those on the outside to understand that Jehovah's Witnesses apply positive, loving, and practical principles in their work, spreading the message of God's Kingdom and helping those in need, rather than simply sitting and waiting for others to bring the message to them. This perspective reflects the true essence of Christ's call to serve and to share the Good News with all people.