Melchizedek priesthood of Mormonism – Part 1 Hello! My name is Danny. And I was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 6 decades. Today, I want to talk about priesthood. Specifically, about the differences between the priesthood of the Bible and the modern Mormon Melchizedek priesthood. These distinctions are noteworthy. I am going to divide this topic into two parts to give it proper attention. This will be Part 1 followed by Part 2 next week. I think this is the most important doctrine I could talk about - because Mormonism depends upon its priesthood to set it apart from all other religions to be what is states in Doctrine and Covenants 1:30 “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased.” The LDS Church claims to have the same priesthood that existed in the ancient church of Jesus Christ restored through Joseph Smith. If that claim can’t be evidenced by the Bible, then there is no biblical priesthood in modern Mormonism. We would then have to conclude that Mormon priesthood it is founded upon a deception and a lie. So please give this serious consideration, as I work through this presentation. I recently posted a video titled “Levitical priesthood of Mormonism” which I also recommend you watch - for a complete understanding of this topic on priesthood. As an active member of the LDS Church and with the calling of Ward Mission Leader - my bishop asked if I would teach a lesson on priesthood to the women in the Relief Society. I was happy to accept the assignment. I was confident I could give a straightforward explanation of the ancient Levitical and Melchizedek priesthoods – and how they were both restored in the latter-days through Joseph Smith. Well, as I began to research the Bible and compare what it said with what the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and Church History, had to say about these priesthoods – I discovered some MAJOR, problems and contradictions. And after realizing that LDS priesthoods have no connection at all to the biblical priesthood – I was in a bit of a panic. But that Sunday was upon me, and I was forced to stay on course and present a message to the Relief Society that was the common LDS viewpoint. I didn’t dare teach what I discovered in my reading and upset a room full of Relief Society ladies. BUT what did come out of this experience – was that it inspired me to pursue this topic thoroughly so I could make sense, once and for all about the truth of the biblical priesthood - and how if in any way, it was connected to modern-day Mormonism. It was imperative for me to do that - to keep my testimony intact and remain a member of the LDS Church. However, as a, result of my studies - what I am about to share with you concerning the Melchizedek priesthood of Mormonism - was one of the key factors in my decision to finally leave the LDS Church. I had always believed that priesthood was a supernatural power given to men to act in the name of God. I’d had a few amazing experiences during my life that I believed supported my Mormon testimony in that special power. My patriarchal blessing was replete with language and promises about my priesthood. And I wanted so badly for it to be true. But then I came to realize by studying the Bible that “faith” was the power of those blessings and miracles - not priesthood. It is recorded in Matthew 17:20 that after the disciples were unable to cast out a demon, Jesus explained that if they had enough “faith” as small as a "mustard seed" they could command a mountain to move, and it would. Yeshua never mentioned that “priesthood” was necessary to cast out a demon or to move a mountain. It was faith! Now let us examine where in the Bible we first see the official role of a “priest” It was during Abraham’s time - long before the Law of Moses and when the Levitical priesthood was established. In Genesis 14, Melchizedek, the mysterious King of Salem (Jerusalem) and a priest of God meets Abraham. Melchizedek was “the priest of the most-high God” and considered to be a type or figure of the Messiah. Biblical scholars think this priest of Salem’s meeting with Abraham was a “Christophany” of the pre-incarnate Christ - and I’m inclined to agree with that. It reads in Hebrews 7:1-3 “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” If this description in Hebrews is literal, then it is indeed difficult to see how it could be properly applied to anyone else but Christ - because no mere earthly king remains a priest forever - and no human is without father or mother or without beginning or end. Melchizedek himself did NOT pass down his priestly office to anyone else or to future generations of believers. When the Book of Hebrews, quoting Psalm 110:4, speaks of Jesus or Yeshua as “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” it is not referring to a literal “order” in the sense of a priesthood - held by many individuals from one generation to the next. Rather, it is using the term figuratively to mean that Yeshua was a priest after the likeness, pattern or similitude of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:15 “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arises another priest.” This was NOT a priesthood, but a singular position that could only be filled by one - Yeshua Mashiach/Jesus Christ. It states in Hebrews 6:20 “Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order (or similitude) of Melchisedec.” Contrary to what Mormonism teaches - none of the Old Testament patriarchs or prophets, nor any of the New Testament apostles or disciples, shared in this “order of Melchizedek.” The figure Melchizedek was considered a type of the Messiah - not a priesthood to be handed down from man to man like the Old Covenant Levitical priesthood. Melchizedek was a type of the One to come - Who would become our only High priest to be forever and ever. Hebrews 7:22-27 “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests (Levitical priests), because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man (Yeshua), because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable (meaning non-transferable) priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” When we combine the idea that Melchizedek was a high priest PRIOR to the Law of Moses and the Levitical priesthood - and that he was a figure or type of our final High Priest, Jesus Christ - we understand who and what Melchizedek was biblically. Yeshua was “after the order of Melchizedek”, but because He was from the tribe of Judah and not the tribe of Levi - the priesthood had to make a change. Hebrews 7:11-14 “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” With the Levitical priesthood coming to an end as promised - Yeshua from the tribe of Judah would arise to be our High Priest “after the order of Melchizedek.“ As our High Priest - Yeshua died for our sins on the cross and entered the heavenly Holy of Holies with His own shed blood. At that moment the temple veil, separating man from God, was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), ending the need for any more mortal high priest to intercede of behalf of man and woman. The temple veil was never meant to be hung up again, like it is in today's man-made LDS temples. During His earthly ministry, Yeshua didn't consider priesthood authority to be important at all - because He never once discussed it with His disciples. The Bible says nothing about apostles, seventies, bishops, deacons, or elders holding a priesthood. The only high priests mentioned in the New Testament like Caiaphas and Ananias, were part of the remaining corrupt Levitical priesthood of Judaism. They were the ones who sought to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:57-66; Acts 9:1-2). Under the New Covenant, never was there an office called "high priest," Levitical or Melchizedek - except for that one sacred office specifically reserved only for Jesus Christ, who is our only Great High Priest - without a successor because this High Priest will never die and be replaced by another. It clearly states in Hebrew 7:16-17 this about Yeshua, “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” The Bible clearly shows that neither the Aaronic priesthood nor a priesthood of the Melchizedek, are available to believers today. Why, because there is no need for them. Yeshua fulfilled the Old Covenant priesthood, and He is our final living Prophet, Apostle, and High Priest. It states right here in Hebrews 3:1 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” Despite there being tens or hundreds of thousands of men today in the LDS Church calling themselves “high priests,” there is only one High Priest worthy of such a title - the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 5:10 “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” Please understand - NO, mortal man today could meet the qualifications to be a “high priest” besides our Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to these qualifications found in Hebrews 7:26 “For such an high priest became us, who is holy , harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” That verse means that no-matter how good a man is – he can never meet those qualifications to be pure, holy, without sin, and perfect. Thus, they can never be a priest like Melchizedek or Christ. I am honestly embarrassed and a bit ashamed for calling myself a “high priest” with a “Melchizedek priesthood” for 30 years. But I also understand now that it was in the context of a false priesthood system - some call it priestcraft. Back at Mount Siani, with the establishing of the Law of Moses - every individual Israelite was called in a spiritual sense to be part of a holy nation, a kingdom of priests. We read in Exodus 19:5–6 “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” This teaching was centuries later restated by an Apostle to those believers in Christ under the New Covenant it was claimed. 1 Peter 2:5,9 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” That is a spiritual reference meaning that as men and women believers are “priests” now acting for ourselves - we enter the presence of God daily to commune with God. No one in this body of believers needs mortal mediators or go-betweens like pastors, priests, bishops, or stake presidents, interceding between us and God. Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself and received the right to stand as the ONLY mediator between us and God. 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” It doesn’t get any clearer than that, does it? Churches today, mainly Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that claim to be operating under priesthood authority of men are anti-biblical and, I would go as far to say - anti-Christ for teaching that Jesus passed on to men priesthood authority, when the New Testament states otherwise. Also, instead of there being direct access to God through Christ’s atonement – men of the church have inserted themselves as mediators between God and unaware believers. They ignore what is written in the Bible! Yet it is SO clear and straightforward. Still, it is SO misunderstood. It is sad and heartbreaking! Now on, the subject of the "laying on, of hands" and "ordination." If you look at LDS Church paintings and pictures - they portray the Mormon Levitical and Melchizedek priesthoods being conferred upon the heads of boys and men. That is a deliberate deception and a lie! If you read the Bible, there is no scriptural basis to support the “laying on hands” upon Aaron and his sons to ordain them to the Levitical priesthood. There is also, no record of Yeshua ever laying hands on His apostles or disciples to give them a priesthood. Check it out! There are words in the Hebrew and Greek that translate to the English term "ordain," and none of them mean or even imply the “laying on of hands” or priesthood. “Ordain” is properly translated to mean "to appoint," “to assign,” or "to authorize.” Thus, John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” There is no mention of priesthood. It simply means that Christ chose, appointed, and authorized the twelve apostles by the power of His word. Yeshua authorized the disciples to baptize and teach (Matthew 28:18-20), by and thorough the power of the Holy Spirit – not a priesthood. Consequently, there was no priesthood for His apostles to pass on to others. There was no loss of priesthood authority as Mormonism claims – that had to be “restored” - because there was no priesthood authority to begin with. Get it? In fact, Yeshua proclaimed that only He had ALL power and authority in heaven and in earth, which means that mortal men do not have any priesthood power or authority themselves. Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” This brings us to a very important conclusion: The Levitical/Aaronic priesthood has been eliminated through the sacrifice and death of Christ onward - as I thoroughly explained in the video “Levitical priesthood in Mormonism” - and no human but Christ can hold the Melchizedek priesthood that is non-transferable. The Bible clearly teaches in Hebrews 10:12 “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19 “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Christ “sat down.” Any Jew knows that there was no chair in the Jerusalem temple - because the Levitical priest’s work in the temple was never finished. Therefore, they were not allowed to ever sit down. However, Christ being the last High Priest upon His death, resurrection, and ascension “sat down” once for all, having completed the final work for the salvation of the world. The work was done - for us! It was finished! All that is required of us now is to believe in what the Bible tells us and trust in Yeshua. Were the two priesthoods of Mormonism a restoration of biblical priesthoods? Absolutely not! Stay tuned for Part 2, as I explain why the priesthood of Mormonism is not biblically legitimate. Again, thanks for watching. See more videos like this on YouTube and at talking to Mormons.com. Until next time, God bless!
Danny's Weekly Word