The Order Of Melchizedek

[Billy]

There has to be more than one priest of the Melchizedek Order since Hebrews tells us Christ is a priest of that order and surely Melchizedek the King of Salem of the Old Testament is also.

Why do you say that?

I will grant you that Melchizedek is a unique character, and ask three people about him and you will get three different answers.

But why do you say that there has to be more than one?

Here is the verse from Genesis 14

18 "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God."

Can you list all the characters in the Bible-with references from the Bible--of those who had the Melchezedek priesthood? (Note Psalm 110 is a Messianic Psalm)

[johnny]

Zemah

I met some believers as I was returning to my apartment after Church one day. They were drunk and still drinking. They recognized me as a man of God and asked me to pray for them. I assured them that they could pray for themselves as the Bible teaches â??to the Father in the name of the Sonâ?. As we spoke together I learned that one was Catholic and the other Protestant; they both believed in Christ. They soon requested that we pray together but wanted me to lead the pray. This we did.

Now tell me honestly, are these believers able to represent Christ in the priesthood?

These Protestant and Catholic believers are part of the royal priesthood , they are part the newborn babes chosen of God who are a chosen generation called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. They are the people of God who have obtained mercy (1Pet 2:2-10).

It is corrupt doctrine that the Melchizedek priesthood is bestowed to all believers.

The priesthood of all believers is not of the order of Melchizedek. Christ is the high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

[consiglieri]

I think the author of Hebrews, and Paul elsewhere, attempt to point out that the priesthood and church restored through Christ antedates, and is superior to, the law of Moses. Hence the references to Melchizedek, who appears to have been superior to Abraham, even, and certainly pre-dates Moses.

In other words, the law of Moses, and the priesthood of Aaron associated with it, are of a lesser "order," and perhaps even an inferior or spurious "order," and hence the necessity for a restoration of that power and authority that existed prior to Moses breaking the tablets and the institution of the lesser order of things.

This is the Melchizedek priesthood restored through Jesus and the order of things associated with that greater priesthood.

In this way, Jesus can be seen to be a restorer of that which was had before, but which became lost through iniquity and apostasy.

Joseph Smith appears to have been following in Jesus' footsteps in this regard.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[johnny]

Zemah

There has to be more than one priest of the Melchizedek Order since Hebrews tells us Christ is a priest of that order and surely Melchizedek the King of Salem of the Old Testament is also.

The priesthood of Christ is made present through the ordained priesthood without diminishing the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood. Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers. Christ is the source of all priesthood and the priest of the new law acts in the person of Christ. The ordained priesthood consists of those who are called, ordination confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of sacred power. The laying on of hands by someone of authority constitutes the visible sign of this ordination.

[consiglieri]

Zemah

The priesthood of Christ is made present through the ordained priesthood without diminishing the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood. Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers. Christ is the source of all priesthood and the priest of the new law acts in the person of Christ. The ordained priesthood consists of those who are called, ordination confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of sacred power. The laying on of hands by someone of authority constitutes the visible sign of this ordination.

You might be surprised to know how copacetic this is with Mormon doctrine, Johnny.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[johnny]

consiglieri

You might be surprised to know how copacetic this is with Mormon doctrine, Johnny.

You might be surprised that the priesthood never needed to be restored as Mormon doctrine teaches because the priesthood continued in the apostolic church after the apostles died.

[Billy]

I think the author of Hebrews, and Paul elsewhere, attempt to point out that the priesthood and church restored through Christ antedates, and is superior to, the law of Moses.

So are you saying that Jesus RESTORED both the church and the Melchezekek priesthood?

Do you envision that the church existed in a form that is similar to the form it exists today, with a Prophet and 12 apostles prior to the coming of Christ?

When was the Melchezedek priesthood lost in the OT? (Actually the question should be where is the Melchezedek priesthood FOUND in the OT)

[Notquitewetyet]

These Protestant and Catholic believers are part of the royal priesthood , they are part the newborn babes chosen of God who are a chosen generation called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. They are the people of God who have obtained mercy (1Pet 2:2-10).

The priesthood of all believers is not of the order of Melchizedek. Christ is the high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Johnny

Ever heard of the heresy called Americanism? No? Well, this sure sounds like it.

[johnny]

Notquitewetyet

Ever heard of the heresy called Americanism? No? Well, this sure sounds like it.

You ever heard of the Bible, what I said is straight from the Bible.

[Notquitewetyet]

Notquitewetyet

You ever heard of the Bible, what I said is straight from the Bible.

You said protestants and catholics are part of the same priesthood of believers? I'm asking you, are you familiar that Pope Leo XIII denounced this as a heresy? No? Read this here: http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/L13TESTE.HTM

[johnny]

Notquitewetyet

You said protestants and catholics are part of the same priesthood of believers? I'm asking you, are you familiar that Pope Leo XIII denounced this as a heresy? No? Read this here:

Are you familiar with the teachings of the Catholic Church ... No .. Read this here:

The Priesthood

http://comparing-views.com/book/c18priest.htm

[Notquitewetyet]

Notquitewetyet

Are you familiar with the teachings of the Catholic Church ... No .. Read this here:

The Priesthood

http://comparing-views.com/book/c18priest.htm

Yes, Johnny, I am. I was raised catholic, and for two years I attended a traditional catholic church that practiced the Tridentine rite. What you said, above, is that protestants are part of the saved priesthood of believers. This is false, per catholic teaching. Protestants are at worst heretics and at the very best "separated brethren" who are lacking in a unity of the catholic faith. Even Benedict XVI has said as much, I believe.

[johnny]

Notquitewetyet

What you said, above, is that protestants are part of the saved priesthood of believers. This is false, per catholic teaching.

Clearly you are not familiar with the teachings of the Catholic Church:

1591 - The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the "common priesthood of the faithful"

-

1268 - The baptized have become "living stones" to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood" [1 Pet 2:5]. By Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission. They are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light" [1 Pet 2:9]. Baptism gives a share in the common priesthood of all believers

-

838 - The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter. Those who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church

-

818 - All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church

[Zemah]

So are you saying that Jesus RESTORED both the church and the Melchezekek priesthood?

Do you envision that the church existed in a form that is similar to the form it exists today, with a Prophet and 12 apostles prior to the coming of Christ?

When was the Melchezedek priesthood lost in the OT? (Actually the question should be where is the Melchezedek priesthood FOUND in the OT)

The Melchizedek priesthood was lost with the death of the last apostle.

The Melchizedek priesthood is found in the OT in the righteousness of Melchizedek the king of Salem (pre-Jerusalem) and also in Psalms 110.

And yes, Christ restored both the Church and the priesthoods of Aaron and Melchizedek through the prophet Joseph Smith.

The restoration in the LDS Church included the return of revelation to a church body and the return of prophets and of apostles speaking one unified Gospel by the power and gift of the Holy Ghost.

A divided Christianity in the form of more than 900 denominations teaching and practicing differing doctrines, each having their own priesthoods, is evidence of a body of believers lost to the true authority of Christ on earth.

Christ and His Church must be one; this is not possible in a divided Christianity.

Christ and His authority must be one; this is not possible in a divided doctrine.

Christ and the Holy Ghost must be one; this is not possible in a multiplicity of ministerial voices.

The question all Christians need to answer is the same one Joseph Smith asked of God, â??Which of all the churches is true and which should I join?

In your wisdom would you please point me to the true church of saints, of prophets, and of apostles?

In which church is the living word of God delivered?

And where oh where is Christâ??s Israel?

Zemah

[Notquitewetyet]

Notquitewetyet

Clearly you are not familiar with the teachings of the Catholic Church:

Ok, Johnny. I'll believe your slur that I'm not familiar with a religion I had shoved down my throat for 20 years. Just never, ever bring up changes the LDS Church has made in doctrine and practice, because the day you do, I will take you to the cleaners on catholic doctrine and Vatican II.

[johnny]

Notquitewetyet

Just never, ever bring up changes the LDS Church has made in doctrine and practice, because the day you do, I will take you to the cleaners on catholic doctrine and Vatican II.

Open another thread and let's talk about these changes ...

[Notquitewetyet]

Notquitewetyet

Open another thread and let's talk about these changes ...

I have class in an hour, and need to get ready, plus a paper due Thursday. Would you be willing to do this Friday/ this weekend?

[johnny]

Notquitewetyet

I have class in an hour, and need to get ready, plus a paper due Thursday. Would you be willing to do this Friday/ this weekend?

Sounds good to me ... have fun in class ...

[Notquitewetyet]

Notquitewetyet

Sounds good to me ... have fun in class ...

Thanks. Maybe I can work on my tone a little. I can be a bit pugalistic on message boards.

[Billy]

The Melchizedek priesthood was lost with the death of the last apostle.

What about John the Revelator? (and the 3 Nephites)

The Melchizedek priesthood is found in the OT in the righteousness of Melchizedek the king of Salem (pre-Jerusalem) and also in Psalms 110.

Does it say that Melchezedek was a Melchezedek priest or does it say he was a "priest of the most high God".

Psalm 110 is a Messianic psalm about Christ.

Are there any other famous people in the OT that have the Melchezedek priesthood, such as Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, his 12 sons, Moses, or Aaron?

And yes, Christ restored both the Church and the priesthoods of Aaron and Melchizedek through the prophet Joseph Smith.

Does it say anywhere in the NT that the members had the Aaronic or Melchezedek priesthood (other than the keys to the kingdom quote)?

The question all Christians need to answer is the same one Joseph Smith asked of God, â??Which of all the churches is true and which should I join?

I hope that you don't believe that a church is what saves you? You are not saved by a church, you are saved by faith in Christ and his finished work on the cross.

[jkfrost]

Latter-day Saints proclaim a restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, that many men in the Church hold this priesthood, and often point to the Epistle to the Hebrews in support of their view.

Hebrews mentions the "order of Melchizedek," but often the response from non-LDS is that the priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek" referred to in Hebrews is comprised of only one person; that being Jesus Christ.

A fragment from the Dead Sea Scrolls tends to support the LDS view that the Melchizedek Priesthood order is comprised of more than one person.

11QMelchizedek, 6-8.

Florentino Garcia Martinez, The Dead Sea Scrolls Translated, pp. 139-40.

Although "priesthood" is not specifically mentioned in this passage, it would seem that the "lot of Melchizedek" would easily match the "order of Melchizedek" referred to in Hebrews.

Any thoughts?

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

Thanks for sharing this important document from the DSS on the "Lot of Melchizedek" given to men.

The people of the BOM knew of this order

it was called after the order of the Son of God ( His Holy Order ) .

2 Nephi 6:[2] Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob,

having been called of God,

and ordained after the manner of his holy order,

and having been consecrated by my brother Nephi...

== We know the reason The Holy Order of the Son of God was called the Melchizedek Priesthood because why?

D&C 107:1 There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.

2 Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.

3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.

4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being,

to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days,

called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood.

5 All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood.

== Alma was called to live after the order of God and he gives examples of how this was to be done.

Alma 5:[44] For I am called to speak after this manner,

according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus;

yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which

have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come.

[49] And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea,

to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all,

both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged,

and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.

[54] Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea,

will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of God,

wherewith they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit,

and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance --

== Here is one of the best explanations of this Holy order of God.

Who is called, why they were called and how they should do their calling.

Alma 13:[2] And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son,

in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.

[3] And this is the manner after which they were ordained -- being called and prepared from the foundation of the world

according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works;

in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good,

and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea,

with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

[4] And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith,

while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts

and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had

as great privilege as their brethren.

[5] Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren;

thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts,

being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared --

[6] And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God,

to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest --

[7] This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world;

or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity,

according to his foreknowledge of all things --

[8] Now they were ordained after this manner -- being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance,

and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end --

[9] Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father,

who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.

[10] Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained

and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance,

and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;

[11] Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

[12] Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white,

being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence;

and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

[13] And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance,

that ye may also enter into that rest.

[14] Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek,

who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken,

who also took upon him the high priesthood forever.

[15] And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea,

even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.

[16] Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God,

it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins,

that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

[17] Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination;

yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;

[18] But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God,

did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days;

therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.

== This Order was given the name of Melchizedek because he was so much like the Son of God in the ways of this Priesthood

the Holy Order or way of God.

[19] Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards,

but none were greater; therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention.

== There are other Orders out there one can follow having not so good results.

Alma 14: [16] Now this judge was after the order and faith of Nehor, who slew Gideon.

[jkfrost]

What about John the Revelator? (and the 3 Nephites)

If the people are wicked and the prophet and apostles are killed off

It would be considered a Total apostasy.

Even if the Three Nephites and John are still around.

God calls mortals to be his Prophets and to hold his priesthood.

It takes more then them to restore all of the keys that are needed

to have the full blessing of the gospel on the earth.

Read below of an example of this

Here is my answer to your question:

Mormon 1

11 And it came to pass that the Nephites had gathered together a great number

of men, even to exceed the number of thirty thousand. And it came to pass

that they did have in this same year a number of battles,

in which the Nephites did beat the Lamanites and did slay many of them.

12 And it came to pass that the Lamanites withdrew their design,

and there was peace settled in the land; and peace did remain

for the space of about four years, that there was no bloodshed.

13 But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land,

insomuch that ### the Lord did take away ( his beloved disciples ) ###,

and the work of miracles and of healing did cease

because of the iniquity of the people.

14 And there were no gifts from the Lord,

and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any,

because of their wickedness and unbelief.

15 And I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind,

therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted

and knew of the goodness of Jesus.

16 And I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut,

and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them;

for behold they had wilfully rebelled against their God;

and ### the beloved disciples were taken away out of the land,###

because of their iniquity.

17 But I did remain among them, but I was forbidden to preach unto them,

because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of

the hardness of their hearts the land was cursed for their sake.

Mormon 8

6 Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior.

7 And behold, the Lamanites have hunted my people, the Nephites, down

from city to city and from place to place, even until they are no more;

and great has been their fall; yea, great and marvelous is the destruction

of my people, the Nephites.

8 And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also,

the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land

is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one

knoweth the end of the war.

9 And now, behold, I say no more concerning them,

for there are none save it be the Lamanites and robbers

that do exist upon the face of the land.

10 And there are none that do know the true God save it be the disciples of Jesus,

who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great

that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people;

and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth.

11 But behold, my father and I have seen them, and they have ministered unto us.

12 And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections

which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni;

and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you.

13 Behold, I make an end of speaking concerning this people. I am the son of Mormon,

and my father was a descendant of Nephi.

[consiglieri]

You know, jkfrost makes a point that seems to tie a lot of things together; that being the well-known LDS equation of the Melchizedek Priesthood with the Holy Priesthood after the order of the Son of God.

They are the same.

The DSS fragment refers to the Messiah who will atone for sins as "Melchizedek."

Psalm 110, which is indeed a Messianic psalm, also refers to one who will hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.

But I think the bottom line is that Jesus restored the lost priesthood of Melchizedek in his day; or rather that it was perhaps restored through him on the Mount of Transfiguration (though this is a bit hazy).

This same priesthood was subsequently lost and had to be restored again, once more through angelic ministration.

I am aware of no other Christian church that even claims to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, unless they say it is the watered-down and unbiblical "priesthood of believers."

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[saemo]

You know, jkfrost makes a point that seems to tie a lot of things together; that being the well-known LDS equation of the Melchizedek Priesthood with the Holy Priesthood after the order of the Son of God.

They are the same.

The DSS fragment refers to the Messiah who will atone for sins as "Melchizedek."

Psalm 110, which is indeed a Messianic psalm, also refers to one who will hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.

But I think the bottom line is that Jesus restored the lost priesthood of Melchizedek in his day; or rather that it was perhaps restored through him on the Mount of Transfiguration (though this is a bit hazy).

This same priesthood was subsequently lost and had to be restored again, once more through angelic ministration.

I am aware of no other Christian church that even claims to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, unless they say it is the watered-down and unbiblical "priesthood of believers."

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

This is your belief of course, which I don't agree with.

I have had a similar conversation to this with other Mormons. They indicated that LDS have a similar belief that is found in your temple ceremony. I'll leave it up to you if that is accurate or not.

[Mudcat]

I am aware of no other Christian church that even claims to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, unless they say it is the watered-down and unbiblical "priesthood of believers."

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

*Mudcat speaks in the tounge of Watered Down*

Gurgle, gurgle, glub, blub, blug, gurg.

translated to mean.

Seriously, not many Evangelicals say much more than the Priesthood of Christ or the Priesthood of All Believers. It isn't promulgated from the pulpit that we are Melchizedek Priests. However, most of the discussions I have had with the more thoughtful types of my faith and those I have relationships with in the ministry, have reached the same conclusion that these terms are synonymous with the MP.