Melchizedek preisthood (Jesus Christ, priests, ritual, reject, Earth)

[Aqualung]

Why is it necessary. if Jesus died that we might be saved, why are the priests necessary, too? If Jesus was a priest after Melchizedek, and he still lives, why do we need others? Why isn't he just our only high priest? What does the priesthood do that Jesus can't do for us?

[EnhancedSpirit]

I was brought up Southern Baptist and Catholic. I'm 36 now, and have just in the last year or so come across the story of Malchizedek, and was immediately drawn to it, and did a bit of research into this person that is mentioned so briefly in the bible. I felt that it ties into my thoughts on reincarnation. I had no idea the LDS used a Malchizedek priesthood. I actually learned about Malchizedek through study of the KJV. The name caught my attention because I had just become very good friends with a sister with the same last name.

Ok, before you kick my post because I'm an outsider on this thread, let me say that I asked this same exact question of the Catholic church when my mother changed our religion. I did not understand why I was confessing my sins to a man in a booth, when I had been taught that Jesus died for our sins, and only through him could we be forgiven.

No answer ever really satisfied my question. So I came up with my own philosophy on the matter. The dogmas of a religion exist in order for people to 'remember'. What I have just read (thank you so much for the lessons I learned in research for this response) it appears to me that the Malchizedek priesthood is just a mirror to the apostles and Jesus. I think the name Malchizedek may have been used to avoid taking the Lords name in vain. But I find this all particularly interesting because a few months ago I had come to the conclusion that Jesus and Malchizedek were the same spirit. Reincarnated. I also find it interesting the similarities between he Malchizedek Priesthood, and the Priesthood of the Catholic Church.

Things that make you go HHHMMMMMM

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Why is it necessary. if Jesus died that we might be saved, why are the priests necessary, too? If Jesus was a priest after Melchizedek, and he still lives, why do we need others? Why isn't he just our only high priest? What does the priesthood do that Jesus can't do for us?

Hi, Aqualung.

First off, I suspect you may get a better answer to your question from either DeepShadow or jonny than you will from me, but I'm going to have a go at it anyway.

The Melchizedek Priesthood is the authority, responsibility and power to act in the name of Jesus Christ to perform certain ordinances that are part of the Church He personally established. Yes, Jesus does undoubtedly still live, but since He is no longer physically among us, He has sanctioned worthy men to officiate in administering sacred ordinances. You may recall the events described in the 16th chapter of Matthew. In verse 19, Jesus said to Peter, "And I will give unto thee thekeys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." He was telling Peter that He intended to give him the keys (i.e. the priesthood authority) to perform such ordinances as confirmation (the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost). There is not a single one of the ordinances of the restored gospel that is not eternal in nature, which is why Christ said that the keys would authorize Peter to perform ordinances that would be binding throughout eternity. Jesus Christ's Church functions within clearly defined channels of authority, and that authority can only be given to someone by someone else who already holds it, and there is only one person living at any given time who holds all of the keys of authority. Immediately after Jesus' death, that person was Peter. Today, it is President Gordon B. Hinckley. Hopefully, this explanation will help some.

Kathryn

[Aqualung]

Enhanced Spirit - I would never go kicking you out because you are "an outsider." I generally find what you have to say to be of great worth, so don't stop posting as an "outsider"

[Aqualung]

Why do we need the ordinances, though? Jesus is our saviour, not some priest.

[DeepShadow]

Hey Aqualung!

Wow, what a great thread! If you don't mind, I'll start by separating the questions as I see them. If I'm mistaken or have missed any, please let me know.

1) Why is the priesthood named after Melchizedek?

This is the easiest one, because it's covered in the scriptures. Simple cut and past, with nothing from the Book of DeepShadow.

D&C 107:1-4
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.

So it seems the "outsider" was correct on this one! Stick around, EnhancedSpirit!

2) Why do we have priests?

Because part of the way that we become like Christ is by doing what he did. Lip service only gets you so far; you've got to walk the walk. I know, it's a heavy burden, and no mortal man can walk it exactly as he did, but we're commanded to try.

2 Nephi 31:12
And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

(emphasis mine)

3 Ne. 27: 27
And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

(emphasis mine)
This calling includes standing in the place of the Savior when he is not physically present. Again, it may sound ludicrous, even blasphemous, but he's said as much himself:

D&C 1:38
What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

(emphasis mine)

3) Why do we have ordinances?

Because, as I said above, lip service only gets us so far. Words fail to express the depth of feeling I have for my Savior, but actions speak louder than words, so the Lord approved certain actions--called ordinances. The various ordiances--baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, sacrament, etc.--say to Him that we accept His sacrifice on our behalf. They are an outward show of inward faith.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Why do we need the ordinances, though? Jesus is our saviour, not some priest.

Aqualung,

Ordinances have always been a part of the gospel, and Jesus most definitely did hold the priesthood. Ordinances include baptism, confirmation, confession of one's sins, the Lord's Supper (aka in our Church as "the sacrament"), the anointing of the sick, marriage, and ordination to the priesthood. Other Christian denominations may refer to these collectively as "sacraments," although many Protestant denominations reject the sacramental character of all but the Lord's Supper and baptism. The Roman Catholic Church accepts all seven of them, but of course they administer them differently than we administer them. The important thing is that they were all a part of the Church Jesus Christ established, but were lost to one degree or another during the Apostasy of the ancient Church.

Authority is a concept that most people seem to understand. After all, it governs almost every facet of our lives. Without it, there would be complete chaos. With it, there is safety, including the spiritual safety of God's authority. Historically, the Lord has been selective in choosing to whom He will grant the authority to perform the various saving ordinances. Jesus ordained His Apostles and reminded them that, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you." Throughout the New Testament, there are further references to the Apostles ordaining others to certain offices within the priesthood. They did this in order for the work to go forward after Jesus' death. Even though it is His sacrifice which ultimately makes it possible for us to be saved, we are responsible to do our part. Receiving the sacred ordinances He has commissioned priesthood holders to perform is one of our responsibilities and privileges.