jh,
Good Q's again. I have back for a while, let me see if I can clear things up. In John 10:30, Jesus says "the father and I are one". I may have confused you by saying "one and the same". The literal word for "one" that Jesus used is the Greek word "neuter", meaning "one thing", not one person.
The two are one in essence and nature (devinity) but are not identical persons. In position Jehovah as the father is superior to his Son. But only in position, not in nature. That is why Christ could say in John 14:28, "the father is greater than I" and yet BE GOD in his nature. They are two seperate persons that make up the one God. We are "one thing" Jesus said. He also said, "if you have seen me, you have seen the father".
Here is an example to help you understand. A human father and his son are both equal in nature as they are both humans, we can apply the term "neuter" and say they are the same thing; Yet, in position, the father would be considered greater than his son. The text in John 14 is not speaking of Christ's divinity with the father, it is merely stating his position in relation to the father.
That is why the Jews wanted to stone jesus for saying he was "God's son", they knew he was making himself equal to God.
This is an interesting verse that actually proves the point I am making;
1 Corinthians 15:28
When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all
At first glance, it seems like jesus is saying he is inferior to God and thus cannot be God. But that is not true. "the son himself will be made subject to him" in the sense that administratively, after he subjects all things to his power, he will turn it all over to God the father, the administrative head. This in no way suggests the son is inferior to the father in nature. They are still equal in diety and dignity, only the son is subordinate to the father in position. Again, this verse is speaking about "position" only, not Godship.
I am off to work for the overnight shift. I hope I did not confuse you more. The Divinity of Christ was a difficult teaching for me to understand when I first came out of the Tower. I took about a year of the Holy Spirit working with me. I am still working on this teaching. I am not a trinitarian in the sense that most are. I am not sure I would call the Holy Spirit a "person". But I do fully accept the Divinity of Jesus Christ. And since Christ is the head of the Christian church, I believe it appropriate for us to pray to him. Remember we are in the new convenant and thus Christ is our mediator, so why would we not be able to speak directly to him?
When you see how many scriptures in the OT applied to Jehovah are then applied to Christ in the NT, you start to understand that Jesus is much more than the WT makes him out to be. I vehemently DENY the WT teaching that Jesus was and is Michael the Archangel OR that he was a created being. But maybe we can leave that for another day.
I don't want to take over your thread. If you have any other Q's about this topic and need scriptural help. You can pm me anytime! I will get back to you as soon as I can. Keep seeking and you will find the answers to your Q's. Peace be with you, Lilly