When Did Jesus Receive The Aaronic And Melchizedek Priesthood?

[Coreyb]

So what is needed?

I dunno, intelligence, consciousness maybe? The question here is built on a shaky premise. What is priesthood anyways? As far as I can tell it is an order, a group of priests or disciples to a particular figure. The Son of God is that figure, so all priests in the order are priests unto Him. It would seem that Christ was put into this position by His Father, who likely belongs to a different order, perhaps His own

[JLHPROF]

I'm going to propose an alternate view to my esteemed fellow Church members.

 

I would speculate that since his life was the beginning of a new dispensation any priesthood not currently on the earth would need to be restored.

 

The Aaronic priesthood was on the earth, held by both Zacharias and John the Baptist.  Either could have ordained Christ if it were necessary.

 

The Melchezidek Priesthood (as in Elder/High Priest) is a bit trickier.  The only speculation I have ever heard on the matter is that the three wise men were actually priesthood holders and ordained Christ when they visited him.

 

The Fullness of Keys of Priesthood (sealing keys, apostleship, etc) are known as the keys of Elijah for a reason.  Guess who paid a visit to Christ and Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration.  This was the same kind of event as the Kirtland Temple restoration to my understanding.

 

So, there you have it - Christ received the priesthood as priesthood law requires, by the laying on of hands like everyone else.  Additionally, we had priesthood in the premortal existence, just as Christ did.  There is no reason to presume he kept his priesthood authority when entering mortality any more than we did.  He would have been ordained in this life too, just as he was baptized, endowed, and received his calling and election.

At least, it's an alternate theory that matches priesthood standards.

Edited January 6, 2015 by JLHPROF

[JLHPROF]

Is God the Father's priesthood "after the order of the son of God" or does he have a different priesthood? 

 

Alma 13:6-7

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—

 

Seems to indicate that the priesthood order is the same.  Maybe.

[mfbukowski]

So I take it that your position is that Jesus has always held the Priesthood--which means before his spiritual birth to Heavenly Mother (i.e. as an "intelligence")

No, He existed forever as we all do, as intelligences.  None of that is very clear doctrinally, we don't know much about how all that works.

 

What does your church teach about what God was doing before he created the world?  Do you even TRY to think about that?  Why not?

 

Oh wait- it isn't in the Bible.  So how do you know the bible is true?  Why listen to it at all?   All you have is circular arguments- I believe the bible because it says so in the bible.

 

Not very informative I am afraid.

[Coreyb]

I'm going to propose an alternate view to my esteemed fellow Church members.

 

I would speculate that since his life was the beginning of a new dispensation any priesthood not currently on the earth would need to be restored.

 

The Aaronic priesthood was on the earth, held by both Zacharias and John the Baptist.  Either could have ordained Christ if it were necessary.

 

The Melchezidek Priesthood (as in Elder/High Priest) is a bit trickier.  The only speculation I have ever heard on the matter is that the three wise men were actually priesthood holders and ordained Christ when they visited him.

 

The Fullness of Keys of Priesthood (sealing keys, apostleship, etc) are known as the keys of Elijah for a reason.  Guess who paid a visit to Christ and Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration.  This was the same kind of event as the Kirtland Temple restoration to my understanding.

 

So, there you have it - Christ received the priesthood as priesthood law requires, by the laying on of hands like everyone else.  Additionally, we had priesthood in the premortal existence, just as Christ did.  There is no reason to presume he kept his priesthood authority when entering mortality any more than we did.  He would have been ordained in this life too, just as he was baptized, endowed, and received his calling and election.

At least, it's an alternate theory that matches priesthood standards.

Maybe the wise men were priests after the order of Zoroaster? I could dig that

[mfbukowski]

I dunno, intelligence, consciousness maybe? The question here is built on a shaky premise. What is priesthood anyways? As far as I can tell it is an order, a group of priests or disciples to a particular figure. The Son of God is that figure, so all priests in the order are priests unto Him. It would seem that Christ was put into this position by His Father, who likely belongs to a different order, perhaps His own

It's like asking who gave Donald Trump the authority to be in charge of Trump Enterprises. 

 

The question it self doesn't make sense!

[mfbukowski]

Maybe the wise men were priests after the order of Zoroaster? I could dig that

I have a little pet theory that Zoroaster was actually a prophet and represented a legitimate dispensation, which of course later went into apostasy.  There are so many parallels that there absolutely HAS to be something to that.  It's positively spooky

[Coreyb]

I have a little pet theory that Zoroaster was actually a prophet and represented a legitimate dispensation, which of course later went into apostasy.  There are so many parallels that there absolutely HAS to be something to that.  It's positively spooky

I am with you 100% on that one

[Jude2]

Today in order to receive the priesthood there are certain basic requirements

1.  Have a physical body of flesh and bones (i.e. being born)

2.  Baptism

3.  Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost

 

 

When did Jesus receive the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood?

 

1.  When he was an "intelligence"  (prior to his birth to Heavenly Mother)

2.  As a spirit child (after his birth to Heavenly Mother but before his physical birth)

3.  After his physical birth to Mary

 

“That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” D&C 121 

 

“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Heb 1

 

I’ve always been under the impression this anointing took place in the spirit world before the world began and that it was part of Jesus/ Yahweh receiving the authority to act in the name of God the Father. He was give the keys and authority of creation. 

 

Righteousness seems to be the only requirement to receiving that power and authority. Jesus didn’t need to be baptized because he had no sin but he did it to fulfill all righteousness. 

[Jude2]

Perhaps Christ held the Power of the priesthood without being ordained to an office. Similar to women.

 

“That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” D&C 121 

 

 

The more righteous a sealed couple becomes the more powerful their priesthood becomes. Maybe I should say the more of the fullness of the priesthood they receive.    

[Avatar4321]

Since when do you need a body, baptism, or the Holy Ghost to be ordained to the priesthood?

you make a good point. Joseph and Oliver were both ordained to the priesthood prior to being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost.

as for bodies, we are told that we were all ordained to priesthood prior to the earth being created. But that doesn't mean we don't need to be ordained in mortality as well.

Jesus was baptized and is our example, why should we assume He did not receive an ordination in His mortal life?

Aaron was the rightful holder of the aaronic priesthood. Yet he was still ordained to his office.

I presume Christ was as well since we know He had priesthood power. And who could give Christ priesthood other than His Father?

[Canadaigua]

Ask Jehovah- he knows.

 

 

Oh wait

 

He IS Jehovah.

 

So answer your own question.  How did God get his authority?  Who does he think he is anyway?  God?   

Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Priesthood

". . THE SOURCE OF PRIESTHOOD POWER. Jesus Christ is the great High Priest of God; Christ is therefore the source of all true priesthood authority and power on this earth (Heb. 5-10). Man does not take such priesthood power unto himself; it must be conferred by God through his servants (Heb. 5:4; D&C 1:38).

Before the world was created, Jesus Christ, the great Jehovah and firstborn of God the Father in the spirit world, covenanted to use the power he had obtained from the Father to implement God's program for the eternal happiness of all God's children (cf. TPJS, p. 190). The actual name of the priesthood is "the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God"; but to avoid the too-frequent repetition of the name of deity, it is called by other names, particularly the Melchizedek Priesthood; i.e., it is the same authority held by that righteous king and high priest (Gen. 14:18; Heb. 5:6; Alma 13:6, 17-19; D&C 107:1-4;124:123).. . ."

 

 

Do you believe that the power that Jesus obtained from the Father was the priesthood?

[Avatar4321]

Maybe the wise men were priests after the order of Zoroaster? I could dig that

I've heard speculation that the wise men were nephi, lehi, and Samuel the lamanite. We know they held mp.

[JLHPROF]

I've heard speculation that the wise men were nephi, lehi, and Samuel the lamanite. We know they held mp.

 

That goes with III Nephi 1:3 -  Then he departed out of the land, and whither he went, no man knoweth; and his son Nephi did keep the records in his stead, yea, the record of this people.

 

Nephi disappeared out of the land mysteriously right before Christ's birth...coincidence?

[Avatar4321]

Samuel did as well. And lehi isn't mentioned again.

[teddyaware]

Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Priesthood

". . THE SOURCE OF PRIESTHOOD POWER. Jesus Christ is the great High Priest of God; Christ is therefore the source of all true priesthood authority and power on this earth (Heb. 5-10). Man does not take such priesthood power unto himself; it must be conferred by God through his servants (Heb. 5:4; D&C 1:38).

Before the world was created, Jesus Christ, the great Jehovah and firstborn of God the Father in the spirit world, covenanted to use the power he had obtained from the Father to implement God's program for the eternal happiness of all God's children (cf. TPJS, p. 190). The actual name of the priesthood is "the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God"; but to avoid the too-frequent repetition of the name of deity, it is called by other names, particularly the Melchizedek Priesthood; i.e., it is the same authority held by that righteous king and high priest (Gen. 14:18; Heb. 5:6; Alma 13:6, 17-19; D&C 107:1-4;124:123).. . ."

 

 

Do you believe that the power that Jesus obtained from the Father was the priesthood?

 

 

Does not the epistle to the Hebrews tell us God the Father gave His son Jesus Christ the High Priesthood, and that it is by virtue of His being ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek that Christ was given the authority and power to make an atoning sacrifice for sin unto the eternal salvation of man? In the case of God the Father, Alma 13 of the Book of Mormon tells us the priesthood He holds is called the Holy Priesthood after the Order of God (the Father); and in the case of Christ, Alma 13 tells us the priesthood He holds was originally called the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God. So the original name of the priesthood was the Holy Priesthood after the Order of God.

 

I'm curious to know how you would have answered your own title question before any of this board's participants chimed in with their own opinions. So I ask you, "when do you believe Jesus received the Melchizedek Priesthood?"

[Avatar4321]

I know if I spent my life preaching the coming of the Son of God and the Lord revealed to me that He would soon be born, I would want to travel to see Him.

[mfbukowski]

Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Priesthood

". . THE SOURCE OF PRIESTHOOD POWER. Jesus Christ is the great High Priest of God; Christ is therefore the source of all true priesthood authority and power on this earth (Heb. 5-10). Man does not take such priesthood power unto himself; it must be conferred by God through his servants (Heb. 5:4; D&C 1:38).

Before the world was created, Jesus Christ, the great Jehovah and firstborn of God the Father in the spirit world, covenanted to use the power he had obtained from the Father to implement God's program for the eternal happiness of all God's children (cf. TPJS, p. 190). The actual name of the priesthood is "the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God"; but to avoid the too-frequent repetition of the name of deity, it is called by other names, particularly the Melchizedek Priesthood; i.e., it is the same authority held by that righteous king and high priest (Gen. 14:18; Heb. 5:6; Alma 13:6, 17-19; D&C 107:1-4;124:123).. . ."

 

 

Do you believe that the power that Jesus obtained from the Father was the priesthood?

Read your own quote.  Jesus is the SOURCE.

 

The priesthood is the power of God DELEGATED TO MEN.  God does not need to delegate to God.

[Duncan]

Read your own quote.  Jesus is the SOURCE.

 

The priesthood is the power of God DELEGATED TO MEN.  God does not need to delegate to God.

 

 

oh man, I was going to say Nov. 6, 1475 but your answer sounds much better!

[mfbukowski]

oh man, I was going to say Nov. 6, 1475 but your answer sounds much better!

It's funny you say that because my first thought of a response was a date too... 

 

Great minds..... 

[Robert F. Smith]

The source of power and authority does not receive it, he gives it.  The priesthood is "after the order of the son of God".  Our priesthood lineage goes back to Jesus Christ, period.  He is the "beginning". 

Priesthood power is eternal and pervades the universe.  Could it be that Jesus received if from his Father, and that God the Father received it from his Father, in an infinite chain of authority?

 

Isn't that the implication of what canadaigua quoted: "the power he had obtained from the Father."

At the same time, when this Earth is gone, priesthood power will continue throughout Heaven forever.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Robert F. Smith

[pogi]

Priesthood power is eternal and pervades the universe.  Could it be that Jesus received if from his Father, and that God the Father received it from his Father, in an infinite chain of authority?

 

Isn't that the implication of what canadaigua quoted: "the power he had obtained from the Father."

At the same time, when this Earth is gone, priesthood power will continue throughout Heaven forever.

I think you are right that it is the force that permeates eternity with no beginning and no end. It is synonymous with the light of Christ in my mind. Christ is from eternity to eternity (D&C 76:4), as is his light and priesthood. How does that work if he is a spirit child of the Father? I can't say. Perhaps his light and power existed even in the bosom of the father.

D&C C 76:13 - Even those things which were from the beginning before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through his Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the beginning;

What this "beginning before the world" was, one can only speculate.   My simple mind can't figure it all out.  All I know is that my authority is from Christ. Beyond that, it is only speculation. To me, He is the one and eternal source.

Edited January 6, 2015 by pogi

[pogi]

Here is an interesting verse from JST:

 

"For this Melchizedek was ordained a priest after the order of the Son of God, which order was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. And all those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually (Hebrews 7:3 JST)."

 

“The Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years [see Joseph Smith Translation, Hebrews 7:3]. The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam’s authority."

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-8?lang=eng

[Canadaigua]

Read your own quote.  Jesus is the SOURCE.

 

The priesthood is the power of God DELEGATED TO MEN.  God does not need to delegate to God.

". . .Before the world was created, Jesus Christ, the great Jehovah and firstborn of God the Father in the spirit world, covenanted to use the power he had obtained from the Father to implement God's program for the eternal happiness of all God's children (cf. TPJS, p. 190). . ."

Did you note this part "covenanted to use the power he had obtained from the Father"?

[Duncan]

". . .Before the world was created, Jesus Christ, the great Jehovah and firstborn of God the Father in the spirit world, covenanted to use the power he had obtained from the Father to implement God's program for the eternal happiness of all God's children (cf. TPJS, p. 190). . ."

Did you note this part "covenanted to use the power he had obtained from the Father"?

 

 

 it was in the premortal life then