Mormon Priesthood Fantasies by Jack Kettler
This study will examine the Mormon claims to have
restored the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods to the New Covenant Church. We would be
wise to consult the Scriptures to learn about the purpose of the priesthood duties in the
Older Covenant and take note of the changes that have taken place as the result of the
inauguration of the New Covenant. This will be a relatively brief survey of Biblical
material regarding the duties and obligations of the Aaronic priesthood. Then in the
following comparative sections I will emphasize repeatedly important teachings of
Scripture showing the New Covenant fulfillment by our Lord Jesus Christ that are relevant
in demonstrating the untruthfulness of Mormon claims. The purpose of my repeated emphasis
is to drive home the fact that significant changes have been made in redemptive history
when moving from the Older Covenant into the New Covenant Age. Of special note; I use the
phrase Older Covenant frequently which may seem unusual to those outside of Reformed
Protestant tradition. This utilization is intended to stress the essential unity of the
Covenants.
The requirements of the Levitical or Aaronic priests:
To start, all
Aaronic or Levitical priests had to be from the tribe of Levi and the High Priests
were required to be of the physical lineage of Aaron, the brother of Moses. This should
make it clear that not just anyone could be a priest or preform the duties of a priest. It
should be remembered that God rebuked Saul because he made a sacrificial offering,
something only a priest from the tribe of Levi could do (1 Samuel 13:1-15).
Note the specifics and details in the following passages:
“AND TAKE thou unto thee Aaron thy
brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to
me in the priest's office even Aaron Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's
sons” (Exodus 28:1).
“And the cloths of
service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to
minister in the priest's office” (Exodus 31:10).
“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them
before Aaron the priest, that they may minister him” (Numbers 3:6).
“The priests, the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance” (Deuteronomy 18:1).
Consider the detailed ordinances to be performed by
the Levites, the sons of Aaron:
Consecration or dedication was to happen when a son after the order of Aaron was to be
set apart or hallowed in order to serve as a priest (Exodus 29:1-27). For example, they
brought sacrifices to the tabernacle; the offerings were to be prepared according to
specific instructions; the priests had to put on special garments. Then when properly
dressed, the priests were to take one young bull, two unblemished rams, unleavened cakes
and wafers, to use as offerings. Additionally, there were detailed instructions on how to
prepare the sacrificial animals. For example, the blood from the ram was to be put upon
the tip of the right ear of Aaron and his sons, along with their right thumb, and big toe
of their right foot. Then the blood was sprinkled on the altar; and the sons of Aaron were
to be anointed with oil along with the blood from the altar.
More instructions on Sacrifices, Offerings and other detailed rites of cleanliness and
purification that were required of the Aaronic priests found in the book of Leviticus:
The Burnt Offering: (Leviticus 1:3-17; 6:8-13); The Grain Offering: (Leviticus 2:1-6;
6:14-18; 7:12,13); The Fellowship Offering: (Leviticus 3:1-17; 7:11-21, 28-34); The Day of
Atonement offerings: (Leviticus 16:8-34; 23:27-32). Clean and Unclean Food: Leviticus
(11:1-46); Purification After Childbirth: (Leviticus 12:1-8). What has been surveyed so
far is a small fraction of the detailed regulations and rites for the Older Covenant
priesthood. Of special note: the Older Covenant people of God had detailed specific
principles governing their approach to a holy God.
The Regulative Principle of Worship:
The Regulative Principle States this: True worship is only commanded by God; false worship
is anything not commanded. It is stated in Chapter 21 paragraph 1 in the Westminster
Confession:
The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over
all, is good, and doth good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised,
called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with
all the might.[1] But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted
by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped
according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any
visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.[2]
1. Romans 1:20;
Psalms 19:1-4a; 50:6; 86:8-10; 89:5-7; 95:1-6; 97:6; 104:1-35; 145:9-12; Acts 14:17;
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
2. Deuteronomy 4:15-20; 12:32; Matthew 4:9-10; 15:9; Acts 17:23-25; Exodus 20:4-6,
John 4:23-24; Colossians 2:18-23
The regulative principle is closely tied to the Levitical priesthood and is seen in the
book of Leviticus in particular, and other portions of Scripture along with God's
punishment for its violation. Consider the following examples:
Strange Fire or worship Condemned
“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took
either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered
strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from
the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10:1,2).
Uzzah's Error Punished
“And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and
brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons
of Abinadab, drave the new cart. And they brought it out of the
house of Abinadab which
was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. . . . And when
they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took
hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah;
and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God” (2 Sam.
6:3-7).
Man-Made Worship Condemned
“And they have built the high places of Tophet,
which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the
fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart” (Jeremiah 7:31; see
also, Jeremiah 19:5).
“And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye
may look upon it, and remember all the commandments
of the LORD, and do
them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to
go a whoring: that ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your
God” (Numbers 15:39-40).
God is very specific, unauthorized or man-made worship is condemned and even punishable by
death. When the Mormons distort the office of the Aaronic priesthood into an office to be
continued in the New Covenant Church and held by young boys not from the tribe of Levi
they are in clear violation of the Regulative Principle of worship. This is dangerous
territory to be in. While it is admitted that it is out of the norm for God to execute
sinners today like the examples above, nevertheless God still brings about spiritual
judgments for violation of the Regulative Principle. See Paul's waring to the Corinthian
Church (I Corinthians 11:17-32).
The Older Covenant Aaronic Priesthood Compared:
In Mormonism's version of the Aaronic priesthood, you have young boys at the age of 12 who
are supposedly ordained into this priesthood. In Mormonism, these young boys collect fast
offerings on the first Sunday of each month, prepare the sacramental elements (white bread
and water), and pass the microphone around at testimony meetings.
In contrast to the Mormon Church's teachings, the Scriptures surveyed thus far quite
clearly put forth a different system of rules concerning the Aaronic priesthood. It will
now be helpful to look at some additional details of the Older Aaronic priesthood and its
fulfillment in Christ. To start, and as previously noted; the Aaronic or Levitical
priesthood was limited to male members of Israel who had to be from the tribe of Levi, and
were also descendents of Aaron's lineage (Exodus 28:1; Numbers. 3:5-13; Hebrews 7:5). Said
another way, the priesthood was conveyed by descent through the genealogy of Aaron.
In further contrast, Aaron's priesthood could never be received or passed on by ordination
through the laying on of Mormon hands. This is because the goyim or gentiles by
their very nature were prohibited to holding the priesthood. It should also be noted; that
there is not one example of Aaronic priesthood being practiced in the New Covenant.
Mormons are nothing more gentiles is spite of their bizarre claims which they supposedly
receive in their patriarchal blessings to be descendents of Ephraim or Manasseh. Mormons
have to resort to their extra-biblical revelation in an attempt to substantiate such a
practice. Even if the Mormons could substantiate that they somehow were descendents of the
Joseph's sons, Ephraim or Manasseh they would still not be qualified since they are not of
Aaron's lineage.
Getting at the central issue involving redemption, the Aaronic priests had to offer
sacrifices for themselves and then for the people. Mormon boys who allegedly hold this
priesthood have nothing to offer remotely similar to the Aaronic priests of the Older
Covenant. It should be emphasized that these sacrifices covered the the sins temporarily
until the individual sinned again. Then another sacrifice would have to be made. The Bible
tells us “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away
sins” (Hebrews 10:4). “...the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all
sin” (1 John 1:7) and “But this man [Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice
for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” (Hebrews 10:12).
What is more, the Aaronic priesthood was done away in Christ. Why did this happen? Because
Jesus or Yeshua* is the final High Priest (Hebrews 7:11,12). He
fulfilled the Law as Our Eternal High Priest (Heb. 7:11-28; 8:6,7). The Old Testament
priests were human intermediaries, but now in the New Covenant administration, Jesus is
the only mediator between men and God. This clearly seen in the following passages:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5); But this man,
because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable 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 (Hebrews 7:24,25);
and “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Therefore, there is no need for the Older
Covenant Aaronic priesthood today. * Yeshua is the Hebrew name, and the English
spelling is “Joshua.” Iesous is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew
name. The English spelling is “Jesus.”
Also note, The High Priest's work had special significance. A specific example being, the
Chief Priest in the Older Covenant would enter the Kodesh Hakodashim, the
“Holy of Holies,” which was the most revered site in the Older Covenant. This
was the inner sanctuary within the Tabernacle. Later on in Israel’s history, the High
Priest would go into the “Holy of Holies” which was located in Solomon's temple.
The High Priest, once each year, would make a sacrifice for his own sins and then the rest
of the nation. “And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year
with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement
upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD” (Exodus
30:10). See also (Hebrews 9:7, 19-22). Jesus put an end to the work of salvation
represented by the High Priestly atonement in the “Holy of Holies” along with
the on-going sacrifices which foreshadowed His truly effectual redemptive work (Hebrews
3:1; 9:11-12, 25-26). It is clear that God accepted the sacrificial redemptive work of His
Son when we read; “And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the
bottom” (Mark 15:38).
And furthermore, one of the most significant historical acts that took place is the
judgment that came upon Jerusalem which culminated in the destruction of the temple in the
First Century or in 70 AD. “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his
disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto
them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one
stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives,
the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and
what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Verily I say unto you,
This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matthew 24:
1,2;34). God himself after tearing the veil, brought about the destruction of the Temple
along with the Aaronic priesthood sacrificial system. Nothing could be more clear, the
Older Covenant age had ended. With the temple gone, the Levitical priesthood could no
longer function. The everlasting priesthood of Christ was vindicated and established.
In closing this section of our study we should note, that since Christ's work is finished,
there is now no need for a High Priest on earth after the Older Covenant Order. Christ is
the only mediator and High Priest who now resides in heaven and is spoken of this way by
the writer of Hebrews: “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We
have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the
heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord
pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices:
wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on
earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according
to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was
admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou
make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he
obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better
covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:1-6).
The Melchizedek Priesthood, and office for today?
The Mormon's purported second or higher priesthood is called the Melchizedek priesthood.
Does the Biblical record indicate that this is a New Covenant office or order to be held
by men? Thankfully, the Biblical record is rich in detail about the Melchizedek priesthood
now held now by our Lord Jesus Christ.
We will reproduce the detailed doctrinal instruction for the church in the book of Hebrews
regarding Melchizedek:
Hebrews chapter 6:20; 7:1-28:
20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever
after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 6:20).
1. 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;
2. 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;
3. 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.
4. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the
tenth of the spoils.
5. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the
priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is,
of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6. But he whose descent is not counted from
them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is
witnessed that he liveth.
9. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10. For he [Levi] was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11. 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?
12. For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of
the law.
13. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man
gave attendance at the altar.
14. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing
concerning priesthood.
15. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there
ariseth another priest,
16. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an
endless life.
17. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness
and unprofitableness thereof.
19. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the
which we draw nigh unto God.
20. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21. (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said
unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order
of Melchisedec:)
22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason
of death:
24. But this man, [Jesus] because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
[perpetual or,
non-transferable] priesthood.
25. 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.
26. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from
sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own
sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath,
which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore (Hebrews 7:1-28).
(emphasis mine)
Hebrews Chapter 8:1-13:
1. Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest,
who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2. A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and
not man.
3. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of
necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
4. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that
offer gifts according to the law:
5. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of
God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all
things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
6. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator
of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought
for the second.
8. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I
will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9. Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took
them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my
covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,
saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I
will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying,
Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities
will I remember no more.
13. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth
and waxeth old is ready to vanish away (Hebrews 8:1-13).
(emphasis mine)
What about the Melchizedek Priesthood in light of the Scriptures?
First, there is no mention in the Bible about an ongoing order of Melchizedek priests in
the New Covenant as the Mormons claim. Melchizedek is mentioned briefly in the Older
Covenant in two places, namely, (Genesis 14:18-20 and Psalms 110:4). In Genesis 14,
Melchizedek is revealed as a king and priest who blesses Abraham and to whom Abraham pays
tithes. Psalm 110, composed by David, is known as a Messianic Psalm, and David by the
Spirit in this Psalm applies this priesthood of Melchizedek to Jesus! Psalm 110:1 is
speaking prophetically about Jesus. It is indisputable that this prophecy is about Christ?
Nowhere in the Older or New Covenants do we see the practice of ordaining men to the
office of the Melchizedek priesthood. Jesus alone is mentioned in the New Covenant as a
priest after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 6:20).
Why is only Jesus qualified for this order? Jesus, because he “continueth [for]
ever,” hath an unchangeable priesthood. “This man” refers to none other
than Christ, and His priesthood is “unchangeable,” which also means perpetual
(Hebrews 7:24). In fact, Hebrews chapter 7 gives us an important comparison of the
priesthoods of Aaron and Melchizedek. The whole chapter shows the reader that the
Levitical priesthood has ceased to exist and has been replaced by the superior Melchizedek
priesthood held by one, namely, Jesus Christ. Mormon men do not live forever, so it is
impossible for them to hold the Melchizedek priesthood.
Why only Christ can now hold the Melchizedek Priesthood:
Abraham is known to believers as “the father of faith” and is blessed by
Melchizedek who is the greater, (Hebrews 7:7). Hebrews also tells us unmistakably that
“...the lesser (Abraham) is blessed by the better” (Melchizedek). Melchizedek
even received tithes from Abraham proving that he (Melchizedek) is the greater. Not only
did Abraham pay tithes to Melchizedek, (which is an act of worship) he then received a
blessing from Melchizedek in (Hebrews 7:4-5,8-9). Since the tribe of Levi would come
through Abraham's linage, they also paid tithes to
Melchizedek, even though they were not yet born. These descendents were as the Scriptures
said: For he [Levi] was yet in the loins of his father Hebrews 7:10). Our unparalleled unique High Priest,
Jesus, who would afterward appear, of whom Melchizedek was a type, must be superior to him and also to all of the
Aaronic priests. This could be none other than Christ Jesus!
What can be said with certainty; the writer of Hebrews in his epistle has explained in
great detail what it meant to be a priest “in the order of Melchizedec.” The
Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood, which was necessary under the law as a foreshadowing of
Christ has been set aside under the New Covenant. In the New Covenant we do not have a
priesthood designed after the Older Covenant, which in reality served only as a type. The
Melchizedek priesthood in the New Covenant is held by one person, namely, Jesus Christ. It
is Jesus who is the only priest of the order of Melchizedek because He being God, lives
forever. This is something that the priests of the Older Covenant could not do since they
were mere men.
Moreover, since Christ never dies, there is no need to transfer His priesthood on to
someone else as a replacement. In the Older Covenant economy, a priest was the mediator
who presented sacrifices to God on behalf of sinful men. Under the Older Covenant, this
function was specifically fulfilled by members of the Aaronic priesthood. Under the
administration of the New Covenant, Jesus became the only high priest. Jesus accomplished
this by sacrificing Himself “once for all” for the forgiveness of sin on the
behalf of His people, i.e., the church. Consequently, there is no need for any other
mediators. The Older Covenant saints had to look in faith beyond the temporal sacrifices,
to the true sacrificial Lamb (Jesus), the True Mediator of the Covenant to be saved.
The Priesthood of All Believers:
There are many solid Scriptural reasons that the Church has believed in the priesthood of
all believers. Most noticeably, the Bible teaches that all believers have priesthood
authority in: (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). As seen from these texts; we
can assert that the New Covenant revelation definitely speaks of the priesthood of all
believers. This is problematic for the Mormon concept of priesthood since all of the
Saints in Christ make up this priesthood. To specify, this is clearly seen in Peter's
first epistle where Peter, speaking to believers in Christ calls all believers, men and
women, “a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5), and “But you are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people: that ye should show
forth the praises of him how hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous
light” (1 Peter 2:9). Also, John tells us that “Unto him that loved us, and
washed us from our sins in his own blood.” and that He “has made us kings and
priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen”
(Revelation 1:5,6). This priesthood of all believers overthrows the un-biblical Mormon
concept of an older covenant priesthood order in the New Covenant era.
In conclusion:
As has been previously seen, it is clear that the priesthood has been changed (Hebrews
7:12) and it is Christ who now holds an eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
The Scriptures are emphatic that only Jesus can hold this priesthood (Hebrews 7:24).
Additionally, Christ's eternal priesthood is far superior to the priesthood in the Older
Covenant. Why? The Older Covenant's sacrifices were deficient in that: “For it is not
possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4).
Consider our better position in Christ: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from
dead works to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14).
The Levitical ceremonies or rituals of the Older Covenant revealed to Moses by God were
reflective of the New Covenant realities. In and of themselves, the priestly rituals of
the Older Covenant could not perfect the Older Covenant saints as Christ has now done. The
redemptive rituals of the Older Covenant, could never perfect the believer. The Levitical
rituals were nothing more than a shadow of the good things to come in Christ (Hebrews
10:1).
The completed work of Christ Jesus is now established, so we no longer use or apply the
Older Covenant's laws regulating the various ceremonies and sacrifices preformed by the
Aaronic priesthood in the same way. There is an unmistakable discontinuity between the
covenants. Moreover, we are warned against returning back to the imperfection of the Older
administration's application of the Mosaic law, which was meticulously required in the
Older Levitical system. With the coming of Christ and His perfect High priestly work, the
Levitical priesthood was by necessity changed (Hebrews 7:12). Thus, the sacrifices, and
feasts of the Older Covenant are not binding upon the New Covenant believer/priests of
today as in their older or former shadow forms (Colossians. 2:13-17). There is however, an
unmistakable continuity of fulfillment of these sacrifices and priesthood duties today by
faith in Christ, our Eternal High Priest.
And finally, the New Covenant Saints have this special assurance: “But if we walk in
the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of
Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). It is unmistakable that
the Mormons have distorted the priesthood of Melchizedek that Christ alone holds, when
attempting to make this an on-going office held by Mormon men. And furthermore, when the
Mormon attempts to lay claim to this priesthood, they are fighting against Christ, the
sole possessor of the New Covenant Melchizedek Priesthood. The alleged Mormon priesthoods
are seen to be nothing more than a feeble fantasy that attempts to rob Christ of his Royal
High Priestly position.
Mormon attempts to defend their mixed up system of supposed priesthoods in the New
Covenant time period:
The Mormon claim to have restored two priesthoods; the Aaronic, the other after the order
of Melchizedek is preposterous in light of what we have seen in the Scriptures and
commentary above. The Scriptures are silent in regards to this supposed restoration of the
priesthoods of Aaron and Melchizedek which is believed by Mormons to have come as a result
of Joseph Smith, (Mormon founder) and Oliver Cowdrey, (one of the three so-called
witnesses to the Book of Mormon) receiving special visitations from Peter, James and John
in the year 1829 in upstate New York.
Mormons have said regarding the Aaronic priesthood, that this priesthood is an
“everlasting” order when attempting to convince prospects that the Aaronic
priesthood is a continuing office in the New Covenant Church. The Mormon correctly points
out that the priesthood is said to be “everlasting” in (Numbers 25:10-13), and
yet (Hebrews 7:12) makes it clear that the priesthood
was changed. Is this a contradiction in the Biblical record or is there an adequate
explanation?
To start, we should note that the Hebrew word “olam” can be translated in
different ways. Some examples being: forever, perpetual, everlasting, eternal, permanent.
The word “forever” does not necessarily mean never ending in scripture, but can
also be understood to mean as lasting only as long as a time period or age. Since the
Mormons are at least appealing to Scripture in the defense of one of their peculiar
doctrines we should briefly respond to this argument about the “everlasting”
nature of the Aaronic priesthood.
Upon closer examination of the Hebrew word 'olam,
we can raise the question; does this mean that a practice commanded in Scripture will last
forever? First, we can admit that it's possible when dealing with the usage of 'olam
that a practice mentioned may last forever. However, the context of a passage is important
when making this determination. Admitting that 'olam may literally mean forever
does not invalidate the fact the there are numerous indicators that 'olam can also
be used to describe a practice that will end or change forms going from the Older Covenant
into the New. In particular, 'olam is used
regarding ordinances in the Older Covenant which were to be kept by the people of Israel
and not carried over into the New Covenant Church practice in their Older Covenant forms.
It should be noted that there are significant discontinuities and continuities in
redemptive history when moving from the Older Covenant into the New Covenant era.
Examples of the time limitations of 'olam:
For example, “Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring
him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an
awl; and he shall serve him for ever” (Exodus 21:6). In this passage 'olam
stresses permanence and that the man would be a servant forever. This verse is
explicit in conveying the idea of a limitation of time. The prima facie limitation in this
verse is the life-span of the servant.
Another example is the Feast of Unleavened Bread; “So you shall observe the Feast of
Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of
Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting
ordinance” (Exodus 12:17). The discontinuity is that the New Covenant Church no
longer celebrates the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The continuity is that this Feast is
fulfilled in Christ.
Consider the Passover; “Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall
celebrate it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it
as a permanent ordinance” (Exodus 12:14). The discontinuity is that the New
Covenant Church no longer celebrates the Passover feast. The continuity is that all of the
Older Covenant feasts including the Passover find fulfillment in the the Lord's Supper.
Then there is the example of circumcision; And I will establish my covenant between me and
thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to
be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed
after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an
everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt
keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my
covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child
among you shall be circumcised (Genesis 17:7-10). The discontinuity is that circumcision
is no longer required in the New Covenant. The continuity is that circumcision is replaced
by baptism in the New Covenant era as the mark of the covenant.
The Sabbath Day to be kept on the Seventh Day; “Therefore the children of Israel
shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual
covenant. 'It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days
the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was
refreshed” (Exodus 31:16-17). The discontinuity is that the day has been changed to
the First Day of the week in celebration of the resurrection of Christ. The continuity is
that God's people are to still honor Him by resting for our labors after six days of work
Hebrews 4:9. In the Greek text, the word for “rest” in Hebrews 4:9 is sabbatismos. It means “a Sabbath rest.”
Young's Literal Translation captures this well when we read: “There doth remain,
then, a sabbatic rest to the people of God;” Hebrews 4:9.
Nothing could be more clear than the New Covenant's emphasis that the Aaronic priesthood
has been set aside or or more properly stated to have been completed since it was part of
the types and shadows that prefigured Christ's work. Attempting to resurrect or to return
to the observances and rites of the Older Covenant which have been completed in Christ can
be described as; “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God,
how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in
bondage?” (Galatians 4:9).
Internal problems for Mormon Priesthood authority:
The Mormons claim that in 1829, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were “ordained”
to these Priesthoods by John the Baptist and the apostles Peter, James, and John resulting
in a “restoration” of the “Priesthood authority” that was allegedly
“lost” from the earth at the time of the death of the last of the First Century
apostles.
According to the Mormon Church: “In restoring the gospel, God again gave the
Priesthood to men. John the Baptist came in 1829 to ordain Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery
to the Aaronic Priesthood Doctrine and Covenants 13; 27:8. Then the Fist Century apostles,
Peter, James, and John, came and gave Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the Melchizedek
Priesthood; (Doctrine Covenants 27:12,13).
Problem Number One:
The Doctrine and Covenants says that a man must have the priesthood before he can see God.
“And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power
of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the
face of God, even the Father, and live”(Doctrine and Covenants 84:21,22).
Since Joseph Smith didn’t possess Priesthood authority when he claimed to see God in
1820 in the first vision story, why did he not die? Which is true, the Doctrine and
Covenants 84:21,22 or Joseph Smith's first vision story?
Problem Number Two:
Section 7 of the Doctrine and Covenants and 3rd Nephi 28:7,8 say that the
apostle John and three Nephite disciples would remain on the earth alive until Jesus
returns to set up his kingdom. If this is true, was there a total apostasy as the Mormons
say? In the Journal of Discourses Volume 9 on page 88 we find that if one elder remains
alive he has power to reorganize the church. If this is true, why did not God ask the
apostle John and the Nephite disciples to reorganize the church? According to Mormonism's
own teaching, John and Nephite disciples already had priesthood authority.
Many additional questions can be raised about inconsistencies and contradictions in Mormon
priesthood theology. However, these two problems are insurmountable for Mormonism and will
suffice to conclude this study.
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