Answer:
Jesus spoke repeatedly of His Father and of His own role as Son, hence, we cannot believe He was His own Father. Nor can we accept the idea that He was equal in power and authority to His Father, for He said, “My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28). He was sent of His Father (a separate being) and He ascended to His Father (obviously not to Himself) (John 14:12).
How then can we worship Jesus? Near the close of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Father apparently delegated to Jesus a certain degree of authority by which He could and would act as intercessor and mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) and receive prayer and petition. These are Jesus’ words:
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:16).
Again, in His last recorded sermon delivered the same night in which He was betrayed, He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full…. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world” (John 16:23-24, 26-28).
The New Testament confirms this, giving frequent mention of Christ in His role of mediator and as worthy of worship and honor (See Heb. 8:6; 9:15; Rev. 15:4).