I remember some time ago thinking it was kind of funny Joseph Smith named the two priesthoods Aaronic and Melchizedek. Where do you come up with those names? Obviously as a member of the church you learn the names of the priesthood and how the priesthood was given to Joseph Smith and they feel natural.
I was helping my son prepare a lesson for church this last Sunday and we were reading in Hebrews 7 and it talked about the priesthoods. It was amazing how they leapt off the page to me with a clear understanding of what they are. I couldn’t help but ponderer how all the other churches in the world could have missed the meaning and understanding of the priesthood.
Hebrews 7:5 – 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:
The Levitical Priesthood is the same that we in the LDS church would call the Aaronic Priesthood. As I read that I could perceive all the Aaronic Priesthood duties being filled by Deacons, Teachers, and Priests in the LDS church. I could see them being similar to those done by the Levites in the times of Moses. And here in the New Testament they reference the duties under this lower priesthood.
Hebrews 7:11 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?
It so clearly illustrates there are two priesthoods. One called after Melchizedek and one after Aaron. One leads to perfection, the other does not.
Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. (Jesus came out of Juda and had no right to the Lavitical priesthood)
Now this is where it gets really interesting. Jesus was born through Judah. He was not a Levite. He would not have had the rights to the Levitical Priesthood under the law of Moses. But again, the Law of Moses did not lead to perfection. As illustrated in Hebrews 11, there was need of a priesthood that perfection could be achieved though.
Hebrews 7:16-17 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 Levitical Priesthood was a priesthood that was based on “Carnal Commandments” the body and the flesh. It was not an endless and eternal priesthood. This priesthood is the higher priesthood or Melchizedek Priesthood. Through this priesthood we may receive eternal salvation. We may receive eternal ordinances. We may be sealed eternally.
Hebrews 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
We (the church) have been blessed with the Melchizedek Priesthood which is an endless priesthood which power lasts forever. This means the ordinances and covenants that take place through this priesthood are endless or eternal.
Wow, what a blessing to have a living prophet who speaks to God and knows his will. What a blessing it is to know these truths.
Photo – Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration used without permission.