The following is a summary containing some of the highlights that are found in the PDF File and the Audio below.

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Priesthood

 

The question of priesthood authority is central to Mormonism, which claims that the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods were restored and exist only within the LDS Church. According to Mormon teaching, without this priesthood, acts like baptism are invalid. However, a biblical examination reveals significant problems with this claim.

 

1. The End of the Levitical (Aaronic) Priesthood:
The Bible teaches that the Levitical priesthood, established under the Law of Moses, became obsolete with the coming of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 7–10 explains that Jesus, through His sacrificial death, fulfilled the requirements of the priesthood and became our only mediator with God. The sacrifices and rituals of the old priesthood were shadows pointing to Christ, who offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 10:10–14). The tearing of the temple veil at Christ’s death (Matthew 27:51) symbolized the end of the old system and the opening of direct access to God through Jesus.

 

2. The Melchizedek Priesthood Belongs to Christ Alone:
Scripture only ever attributes the Melchizedek priesthood to Melchizedek (Genesis 14) and to Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7). Jesus is declared a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17, 24), and this priesthood is described as unchangeable and non-transferable. Nowhere does the Bible teach that this priesthood is passed on to others; rather, Jesus holds it eternally.

 

3. The “Royal Priesthood” of Believers:
The New Testament teaches that all born-again believers are part of a “holy” or “royal” priesthood (1 Peter 2:5, 9). This priesthood is spiritual, not organizational, and is based on faith in Christ, not lineage or ordination. All Christians have direct access to God through Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–16).

 

4. The Structure of the Early Church:
The LDS Church claims to restore the organization of the primitive church, but the New Testament does not describe a church led by a First Presidency or by 12-year-old deacons. Offices like elder and deacon are roles of service and leadership, not priesthood offices as defined by Mormonism (1 Timothy 3).

 

5. The Sufficiency of Christ:
The heart of the Christian gospel is that Jesus is sufficient. Through His death and resurrection, He has accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. We are made complete in Him (Colossians 2:8–10). Salvation is not found in a church, a priesthood, or rituals, but in Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 13:39).

 

Conclusion:
The biblical witness is clear: the Old Testament priesthood has ended, and Jesus Christ is our eternal High Priest. All believers are invited into a spiritual priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices and enjoying direct fellowship with God. The restoration of a priesthood is unnecessary, for Christ’s work is finished and complete.