No proof for Melchizedek Priesthood for LDS

[_Albion]

Tobin, I certainly don't assume that they did it through any kind of "priesthood".... why do you assume they did? They actually performed nothing except as God worked through them.

[_Tobin]

Tobin, I certainly don't assume that they did it through any kind of "priesthood".... why do you assume they did? They actually performed nothing except as God worked through them.

Did they have the authority to do the things they did? Why would God use Moses if he could have used anyone? Why not just pick people at random? There were plenty of people around after all. I think your idea that God just picked the same people over and over (for no particular reason) when he could have used anyone is a bit faulty. Why not give everyone a chance to be God's sock puppet?

[_Albion]

That's not an answer. God will choose whom he will and he chose Moses and Elijah and his choosing gave them authority not some priesthood which is not evident anywhere in scripture (outside of the man Melchizedek and Jesus himself) nor in Hebrew history. Certainly God can choose anyone and the anyones he chose were Moses and Elijah.

[_Tobin]

That's not an answer. God will choose whom he will and he chose Moses and Elijah and his choosing gave them authority not some priesthood which is not evident anywhere in scripture (outside of the man Melchizedek and Jesus himself) nor in Hebrew history. Certainly God can choose anyone and the anyones he chose were Moses and Elijah.

What do you think the priesthood is? It is the authority to act in the name of God. These are examples of men using the authority (and power) of God. This isn't some random magic act by God either. He doesn't move from sock puppet to sock puppet spewing magic tricks. These are things done by specific people, selected by him and given his authority. In other words, they have his priesthood.

[_Albion]

I think you are changing the discussion. Do you believe that Moses and Elijah held the Melchizedec Priesthood...have you, as a Mormon, been ordained to the MP? We are discussing the actual MP not some loosely described authorization. Any believer can act with authority...I believe that...but certainly none, not you, not Moses, not Elijah held the MP. There is only one holder of the MP today and he sits at the right hand of God exercising that priesthood as the high priest for all believers.

[_Tobin]

I think you are changing the discussion. Do you believe that Moses and Elijah held the Melchizedec Priesthood...have you, as a Mormon, been ordained to the MP? We are discussing the actual MP not some loosely described authorization. Any believer can act with authority...I believe that...but certainly none, not you, not Moses, not Elijah held the MP. There is only one holder of the MP today and he sits at the right hand of God exercising that priesthood as the high priest for all believers.

Of coures Moses and Elijah had the Melchizedec Priesthood. In fact, they had all of God's priesthood (or authority) to do what they did. Without it, they wouldn't have been able to do that. And the Melchizedec Priesthood is merely an order of the priesthood. It does not represent all of God's authority. It is an order after the Son of God. And just because I or Moses or Elijah belong to the same order (think of it as a club), that doesn't mean we have the same standing before the Lord. The only indication that I (or anyone) really holds that authority is if we can do similar things to what Moses, Elijah and Jesus Christ did in the name of God. These are the gifts of the spirit that show you who really represents God.

[_Albion]

I think you can delude yourself all you want about holding or being in the MP club but it just isn't so. Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that only Jesus holds the MP and why. I'll let you go on this topic. Unless you can offer conclusive Biblical proof that any prophet held the MP, including Moses and Elijah, your argument is without substance. Even presuming to lay title to it the way Mormons do makes a mockery of sacred things and the only one worthy to assume it.

[_Tobin]

I think you can delude yourself all you want about holding or being in the MP club but it just isn't so. Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that only Jesus holds the MP and why. I'll let you go on this topic. Unless you can offer conclusive Biblical proof that any prophet held the MP, including Moses and Elijah, your argument is without substance. Even presuming to lay title to it the way Mormons do makes a mockery of sacred things and the only one worthy to assume it.

An order of one doesn't make any sense, but it is a terribly funny suggestion. And the head of the order is Jesus Christ (it is after his example that this authority is granted). Jesus Christ isn't the only one to ever have (or use) the authority of God. You are welcome to think whatever you want, but those who wish to use the authority of God must join the orders of the priesthood and obtain this authority from God. Those without God's authority can pretend to have God's authority, but it is meaningless claim. It just isn't manifestly so.

[_Albion]

Since you have absolutely nothing to back up your assertions they are just that...nothing.

[_Tobin]

Since you have absolutely nothing to back up your assertions they are just that...nothing.

I'm just explaining the Mormon position which is well supported by Mormon scriptures (and statements by Mormon prophets and others). If you aren't interested then find another forum. You don't have to post here if you don't want to discuss it.

My view is that even Mormons, who belong to the order of Christ, do not necessarily have the priesthood either unless it is manifest.