Levitical and Melchizedek priesthoods

[Sparko]

I found Bill's mistake, which even you didn't catch. A=B, and C=D, therefore A=D. That wasn't very good, IMO.

No the mistake was all yours since you couldn't understand what Bill was saying. But kudos on trying to use logic and reasoning.

[OtherCheek]

No the mistake was all yours since you couldn't understand what Bill was saying. But kudos on trying to use logic and reasoning.

Behold the "Logic." (so-called): A=B, C=D, therefore A=D

[Bill the Cat]

"Aaronic Priesthood being Changed" does not mean "done away"

It does not say "Aaronic Priesthood being changed". It says "Priesthood changed" Like a pitching change in baseball. The outgoing pitcher doesn't return. Nor does he continue to play.

"A new covenant replacing an old one" does not mean "Aaronic Priesthood is done away"

Yes it does.

Your logic looks like this. A=B and C=D, therefore A=D.

No. That's your poor summary.

A=B and B=C, therefore A=C

A= Aaronic priesthood
B= Old Covenant
C= Passed away

I would rather say that the Aaronic Priesthood existed--PERIOD. It's function before Christ was TWO fold.

1. To perform the ordinances of a preparatory covenant of that time. (sacrifice by the shedding of blood)
2. To prepare the people for a new covenant.

That preparatory covenant involved sacrifice by the shedding of blood. And that covenant was done away, but NOT the purpose of the Aaronic Priesthood which remains today to perform the ordinances of a preparatory covenant.[/quote]

Sorry, but this is an awful misunderstanding of Galatians 3:24. The "Aaronic Priesthood" was to minister under Torah, which is the schoolmaster. It was not held by those under grace. Therefore, those who are under grace are not holders of a priesthood belonging to that of the law.

Today, after Christ's atonement, the functions of the Aaronic Pristhood are largely the same:

1. To perform the ordinances of a preparatory covenant of our time (baptism, collection of tithes, gospel of repentance, ministering of angels)
2. To prepare the people for a new covenant. (Temple covenants). As well as to prepare the Aaronic Priesthood holders themselves for the higher Melchizedek Priesthood.

This is not gleaned from bible study. It is come through Revelation to living prophets in our day and time.

Because it is not Biblical at all.

[Sparko]

Behold the "Logic." (so-called): A=B, C=D, therefore A=D

That is just what you think BTC was saying. It wasn't. Therefore the mistake is yours. Your conclusion about what Bill was telling you was wrong, therefore your "logic" is in error.

[RBerman]

We know there is a distinction between the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods.

Yes, we do. According to the book of Hebrews, what is that distinction?

[Bill the Cat]

Behold the "Logic." (so-called): A=B, C=D, therefore A=D

Label each variable so I can show you your mistake.

[OtherCheek]

ME: "A new covenant replacing an old one" does not mean "Aaronic Priesthood is done away"

Bill the Cat: Yes it does.

A=B and B=C, therefore A=C

A= Aaronic priesthood
B= Old Covenant
C= Passed away

Ahh. There's the disconnect. Aaronic Priesthood=Old Covenant.

These are not congruent. That's like saying that "dogs = mammals" Therefore "mammals = dogs" The two are not congruent.

Define "Old Covenant" Does it include all covenants made with Abraham? Does it include tithes? Offerings? Was the Aaronic Priesthood the covenant with Abraham? Was there a newer covenant made with Moses than was made with Abraham?

[Bill the Cat]

Ahh. There's the disconnect. Aaronic Priesthood=Old Covenant.

It does.

Num 3:5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 3:6 Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
Num 3:7 And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.
Num 3:8 And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
Num 3:9 And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

These are not congruent.

They most certainly are.

That's like saying that "dogs = mammals" Therefore "mammals = dogs" The two are not congruent.

But if there were no mammals, there would be no dog, and if you terminated all mammals, then there would be no dog.

Define "Old Covenant"

The covenant made with Moses on Sinai

Does it include all covenants made with Abraham?

No.

Does it include tithes? Offerings?

Yes

Was the Aaronic Priesthood the covenant with Abraham?

No. It was this:

Exo 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

Was there a newer covenant made with Moses than was made with Abraham?

Yes.

[OtherCheek]

No. It was this:

Exo 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Yes.

THAT'S a Covenant?

Did it supersede the Abrahamic Covenant?

[Bill the Cat]

THAT'S a Covenant?

It is a portion of the Covenant. Without the Law, and all of the sacrifices contained in it, this priesthood would not have been implemented.

Did it supersede the Abrahamic Covenant?

No. But, remember that there was no priest called or instituted in Abraham's covenant.

[OtherCheek]

It is a portion of the Covenant. Without the Law, and all of the sacrifices contained in it, this priesthood would not have been implemented.

THIS priesthood. Yes. The Aaronic Priesthood came because they Israelites were not ready for the greater priesthood, and so they received a lesser priesthood. A preparatory priesthood. And this priesthood was given by tribal connection. But the higher priesthood never had that restriction. And Moses possessed that priesthood. When Jesus finished his atonement, there was a change in the Aaronic priesthood, and the Levite restriction was lifted. We hear no more about "Levites" from thereafter.

But the Aaronic priesthood continued (without the Levite restriction) as well as Melchizedek until all priesthoods were removed from the earth due to wickedness and apostasy.

How do we know this? Not from the Bible, but by revelation.

[Sparko]

THIS priesthood. Yes. The Aaronic Priesthood came because they Israelites were not ready for the greater priesthood, and so they received a lesser priesthood. A preparatory priesthood. And this priesthood was given by tribal connection. But the higher priesthood never had that restriction. And Moses possessed that priesthood. When Jesus finished his atonement, there was a change in the Aaronic priesthood, and the Levite restriction was lifted. We hear no more about "Levites" from thereafter.

But the Aaronic priesthood continued (without the Levite restriction) as well as Melchizedek until all priesthoods were removed from the earth due to wickedness and apostasy.

How do we know this? Not from the Bible, but by revelation.

yeah, revelation by a prophet who had already been shown to be a false prophet many times over during his life. A really trustworthy source you got there.

[RBerman]

THIS priesthood. Yes. The Aaronic Priesthood came because they Israelites were not ready for the greater priesthood, and so they received a lesser priesthood. A preparatory priesthood. And this priesthood was given by tribal connection. But the higher priesthood never had that restriction. And Moses possessed that priesthood. When Jesus finished his atonement, there was a change in the Aaronic priesthood, and the Levite restriction was lifted. We hear no more about "Levites" from thereafter. But the Aaronic priesthood continued (without the Levite restriction) as well as Melchizedek until all priesthoods were removed from the earth due to wickedness and apostasy. How do we know this? Not from the Bible, but by revelation.

The problem isn't just that you're describing additional information "by revelation" that supplements what's in the Bible. The problems is that your alleged "revelation" contradicts what is in the Bible. Hebrews 7 defines a Melchizedekan priest as "a priest, but not descended from Levi." Moses was descended from Levi, so if he was a priest, he was a Levitical priest, not a Melchizedekean priest.

Don't LDS spend any time studying the book of Hebrews? The Bible? It's right there in black and white. What do you think those verses in Hebrews 7 mean? You never said.

[Cow Poke]

Don't LDS spend any time studying the book of Hebrews? The Bible? It's right there in black and white.

In my Bible, Jesus always speaks in red.

[Bill the Cat]

THIS priesthood. Yes. The Aaronic Priesthood came because they Israelites were not ready for the greater priesthood, and so they received a lesser priesthood.

Correct. And the "Greater Priesthood" was the Priesthood of All Believers. It was initially offered to the Jews before the Law came, but they disobeyed, and thus the Levites were set apart by the Law.

“If you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6)

A preparatory priesthood.

No. It was a unique priesthood ONLY for the Levites. It did not prepare the Levites for a "melchizedek priesthood".

And this priesthood was given by tribal connection. But the higher priesthood never had that restriction.

It had the restriction of only belonging to the Priest/King of Jerusalem.

And Moses possessed that priesthood.

No he didn't. He was never king of Jerusalem. Nor was he king of Israel.

When Jesus finished his atonement, there was a change in the Aaronic priesthood, and the Levite restriction was lifted.

Wrong. There was a change in PRIESTHOODS. Levitical passed away and Melchizedek took over forever, and the inheritance of priesthoods passed away. Jesus alone is the eternal priest after the order of Melchizedek. No one else will ever possess it but Him.

We hear no more about "Levites" from thereafter.

Read the eschatological temple descriptions of Ezekiel.

But the Aaronic priesthood continued (without the Levite restriction) as well as Melchizedek until all priesthoods were removed from the earth due to wickedness and apostasy.

There is no hint of ANY priesthood in any writing from the early church.

How do we know this? Not from the Bible, but by revelation.

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