Anciently the Church of Jesus Christ had certain offices of the priesthood. Whenever the Church of Christ is on the earth, it has the same offices and priesthood. Paul, in teaching the Ephesians, gave an abbreviated list:
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." (Ephesians 4:11)
The complete list of offices of the priesthood that were had in antiquity is:
Most Widely Held Offices of the Priesthood:
Deacon
Paul and Timotheus' first epistle to the Philippians was addressed to "the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons". (Philippians 1:1)
Paul gives the qualifications for deacons:
Likewise must the deacons be:
"And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
Teacher
In his record, Luke makes reference to "prophets and teachers" in the church at Antioch. (Acts 13:1)
Paul taught the importance of all the various aspects of the Church working together for the common good. During that sermon, he referred to, among other things, the offices of prophet, apostle and teacher:
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?" (1 Corinthians 12:27-29)
Priest
The Lord commanded Moses to have certain people under the direction of Aaron and his sons make preparations to minister to Him in the office of priest. (Exodus 28:1,4)
Zacharias was carrying out his responsibilities in the office of priest when he was visited by an angel who told him his wife was to give birth to a son named John. (Luke 1:8-9)
Luke records the growth of the church and the faith of the "company of priests" (Acts 6:7)
Elder
After leading them out of captivity in Egypt, Moses had the people make a covenant with God that they would obey Him and keep His commandments, after which he took the "elders of Israel" up the mountain with him:
"...then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel..." (Exodus 24:9)
By this example, we can see that the ancient church used the word 'elder' somewhat loosely. It appears that this term was sometimes an office in the Melchizidek preisthood to which one could be ordained.
During their tenure as missionaries, Paul and Barnabas went about building up the church:
"...Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." (Acts 14:22-23)
Paul wrote the following in his epistle to Titus:
"...thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city" (Titus 1:5)
In other cases, such as Moses and the seventy, it appears "elder" was a title given to those who were ordained as seventies or who had been set apart to perform some other designated function in the church.
It was also customary for the "elders of the church" to perform faith healing and to remit sins:
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:1)
High Priest
Paul tells us the Savior was a high priest:
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." (Hebrews 4:12)
The Savior was ordained to the office of high priest by His Father:
"So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee... as he saith in another place (Paul is quoting from scripture)... Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 5:1,4-6)
In that same chapter, Paul gives requirements for anyone who would be ordained to the office of High Priest "after the order of Melchisedec":
"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins." (Hebrews 5:2-3)
Other Offices, "Keys", or Callings of the Priesthood
Bishop/Pastor
Paul and Timotheus' epistle to the Philippians was addressed to, among others, the bishops of the church. (Philippians 1:1)
Paul tells us the requirements or qualifications for service as a bishop:
"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:2-7)
It is interesting to note that a bishop can be married.
Patriarch/Evangelist
In his travels, Paul mentions staying with "Phillip the evangelist, one of the seven" in Caesaria. (Acts 21:8)
By this, we can infer that there were only seven evangelists in the church at the time, so this must have been considered a relatively high office.
Paul counselled Timothy to work hard in fullfilling his calling to the office of an evangelist:
"But awatch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an bevangelist, cmake full proof of thy ministry." (2 Tim 4:5)
Seventy
As Moses began to lead the people of Israel, he felt the burden of trying to lead the whole group by himself. In response to this need, the Lord commanded Moses to call seventy men to serve as leaders over the people:
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall abear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone." (Numbers 11:16-17)
After calling the seventy, Moses asked them to go with him to Mount Sinai, where he received the Ten Commandments:
"...then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel..." (Exodus 24:9)
During His ministry, the Lord called groups of seventy and sent them abroad in sets of two to orchestrate the preaching of the gospel:
"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place..." (Luke 10:1)
Sealer
During His ministry the Savior gave Peter the keys of the sealing power:
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: ...Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18)
In teaching the Ephesians, Paul made reference to "being sealed":
"after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13)
John the Revelator saw the tribes of Israel, who had been sealed:
"And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an ahundred and forty and four thousand of all the btribes of the children of cIsrael. Of the tribe of aJuda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of bReuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of aJoseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand." (Revelation 7:4-8)
In ancient times, the Hebrews attributed certain things to certain numbers. Here, we see John use the number "twelve" to represent authority, and the number "one-thousand" to represent magnitude or completeness. In my ind, this suggests that all of the complete tribes of Israel were sealed by way of priesthood authority.
Apostle
Although the word "apostle" is not explicitly used here, the pattern of calling twelve men to lead Israel is evident:
"These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers..." (Numbers 1:44)
"...then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man." (Joshua 4:4)
At the outset of his earthly ministry, the Savior called twelve apostles. This is the account according to the Gospel of Luke:
"And when it was day, [Jesus] called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. " (Luke 6:12-16)
Here again, Jesus calls apostles according to the Gospel of Mark:
"And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Canaanite, And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house. (Mark 3:14)
Between the two accounts, we can construct a complete list of twelve:
Simon (Peter)
Andrew
James
John
Phillip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James (son of Alphaeus)
Simon Zelotes/the Caananite
Judas
Thaddeus
So significant was the office of apostle in the minds of the people at that time, that when the Savior's friends and family saw Him healing, casting out devils and calling twelve, they tried to stop Him, fearing He would get into trouble with the religious and legal authorities of the day. (Mark 3:21)
There were other apostles, who took the places of Judas Iscariot and others as needed:
Matthias (Acts 1:24-26)
Paul (Galatians 1:1)
Barnabas (Acts 14:14)
Judas and Silas (Acts 15:25-28,32-33)
John Mark (Acts 15:36-37, 2 Timothy 4:11)
Here, we see the ancient church calling new apostles, keeping an active set of twelve going. This is consistent with the pattern established at the time of Moses. When Joshua took Moses' place, he not only continued the office of prophet, but he also maintained a set of twelve apostles. (See Joshua 4:4)
King David prophesied that when Judas Iscariot died, another would take his place. (Acts 1:20)
Paul told the Ephesians that the foundation of the church was prophets and apostles, with Christ being the "chief cornerstone". (Ephesians 2:20)
Prophet
The prophet Amos said:
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
That this idea was present at the time of Moses seem evident. Here the Lord speaks in defense of Moses and his prophetic calling:
"And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream." (Numbers 12:6)
Whenever the Lord has established His kingdom on the earth, He has always called a prophet. He always has and He always will, for He his the "same God, yesterday, today, and forever". (Hebrews 13:8)
Luke makes reference to prophets in the church in his time. (Acts 13:1)
Paul taught that prophets are part of the church of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:20)
Paul told the Ephesians that by revelation to a prophet - Peter, the Lord had made known to them that it was time to preach the gospel among the Gentiles. (Ephesians 3:5)
God sent a prophet to the people of Paul's time as in time of old: that prophet was the very Son of God. (Hebrews 1:1)
Anciently, they also called prophets "seers". (1 Samuel 9:9)
Peter reminded his people that we are always to be mindful of the words of the prophets and apostles, even when the world rejects and mocks us for so doing:
"...I write unto you...that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts..." (2 Peter 3:2)
Whenever the world has been without a prophet or without the church of Christ for a time, or whenever there's a question in the minds of the people about who the new prophet should be, the Lord always calls a new prophet by miraculous means:
When the Israelites had been in slavery in Egypt for 400 years without a prophet, God spoke to Moses out of a burning bush. (Exodus 3)
After a long while without revelation (no "open vision"), the Lord called to Samuel in his sleep. (1 Samuel 3)
The Lord commanded Elijah to anoint Elisha to take his place as the prophet, thus perpetuating an existing chain of prophets. (1 Kings 19:16)
The birth and calling of John the Baptist was foretold by an angel. (Luke 1:5-22,57-77)
The First Presidency
Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods
Priesthood After the Order of Aaron, or Levitical Priesthood
The Lord commanded Moses to organize Aaron and his sons and the tribe of Levi and give them authority and callings to officiate in the ordinances and service of the tabernacle. (Numbers 3:2-12)
The Aaron and his sons and the Levites are set apart and begin their service in the sanctuary. (Numbers 8)
Aaron and his sons and the Levites are charged again with the keeping of the tabernacle or sanctuary. The sons of Aaron and the Levites are given to Aaron "by an ordinance forever". (Numbers 18:1-8)
The priesthood of the Lord is the inheritance of the Levites (Joshua 18:7)
Aaron and his sons are set apart to minister for the Lord forever (1 Chronicles 23:13)
Aaron and his sons use the laying on of hands in administering the sacrifices among the children of Israel. (Exodus 29:10)
Paul taught that the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood changed in conjunction with "a change in the law", or the fulfillment of the law of Moses. He also referred to the need for both the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods:
"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? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." (Hebrews 7:11-12)
Priesthood After the Order of Melchizedek
Melchizedek was "the priest of the most high God" to whom Abraham paid tithing. (Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7:1-2)
King David prophesied that Jesus would restore the gospel in his time, and that He would become a "high priest after the order of Melchizedek" (Psalms 110:2-4)
God the Father ordained His Son to be a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:5-6)
Other Priesthood Practices
Setting Apart
There are handfuls of references to the practice of "separating" or "setting apart" all over the Bible, though perhaps most frequently in the books of Exodus and Numbers. To name a few:
The Lord commanded the Levites to be set apart. (Numbers 8:14)
The Levites are set apart to do the service of the tabernacle. (Numbers 16:9)
Joshua is "set apart" to take Moses' place as prophet. (Numbers 27:13,18)
The Levites are "separated" to bear the Ark of the Covenant. (Deuteronomy 10:8)
Aaron and his sons were "separatd" to minister to the Lord forever. See the "Aaronic Priesthood" section of this article for more references to "separating" or "setting apart" in conjunction with Aaronic priesthood responsibilities. (1 Chronicles 23:1)
In the New Testament, Barnabas and "Saul" - later called "Paul" were "separated" or "set apart" as apostles. (Acts 13:2)
Laying On of Hands
The Levites were consecrated by the laying on of hands. (Numbers 8:9-11)
The Savior used the laying on of hands to heal the sick. (Mark 6:5)
Paul and the other apostles used the laying of hands. (Acts 6:6)
The Savior prophesies of great signs following them that believe, including laying on of hands to heal the sick. (Mark 16:18)
Paul tells Timothy not to "neglect the gift... which was given thee by prophecy and by the laying on of hands." (1 Timothy 4:14)
Authority and the Obligation to Serve
Jesus chastised the Pharisees of his time for "enlarging the borders of their garments", for calling themselves "Father" and "Master", for abusing their post to aggrandize themselves:
"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:5-11)
The priesthood is not for exalting ourselves, but is a great reason to humble ourselves as we undertake to do the Lord's work by virtue of our calling. The priesthood is not for making us "the boss", but for making us the servants of the Lord's people.
What It Means to Me
For me, this opportunity to study the ancient priesthood in depth has been a real eye opener. All growing up, I was taught - and believed - that the priesthood had been restored in its ancient fulness. Most people who study the priesthood in the Bible come from a perspective of trying to understand an ancient text in the best way they know how. I come from a perspective of having been raised in that priesthood, so it gave me great joy to see in the pages of the Old and New Testaments the same familiar priesthood in all its ancient glory - with all the same offices, practices, and duties - in virtually every particular!
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." (Ephesians 4:11)
The complete list of offices of the priesthood that were had in antiquity is:
- Deacon
- Teacher
- Priest
- Bishop (pastor)
- Elder
- High Priest
- Patriarch (evangelist)
- Sealer
- Seventy
- Apostle
- Prophet
Most Widely Held Offices of the Priesthood:
Deacon
Paul and Timotheus' first epistle to the Philippians was addressed to "the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons". (Philippians 1:1)
Paul gives the qualifications for deacons:
Likewise must the deacons be:
- grave
- not double-tongued
- not given to much wine
- not greedy of filthy lucre
- Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience
"And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
Teacher
In his record, Luke makes reference to "prophets and teachers" in the church at Antioch. (Acts 13:1)
Paul taught the importance of all the various aspects of the Church working together for the common good. During that sermon, he referred to, among other things, the offices of prophet, apostle and teacher:
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?" (1 Corinthians 12:27-29)
Priest
The Lord commanded Moses to have certain people under the direction of Aaron and his sons make preparations to minister to Him in the office of priest. (Exodus 28:1,4)
Zacharias was carrying out his responsibilities in the office of priest when he was visited by an angel who told him his wife was to give birth to a son named John. (Luke 1:8-9)
Luke records the growth of the church and the faith of the "company of priests" (Acts 6:7)
Elder
After leading them out of captivity in Egypt, Moses had the people make a covenant with God that they would obey Him and keep His commandments, after which he took the "elders of Israel" up the mountain with him:
"...then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel..." (Exodus 24:9)
By this example, we can see that the ancient church used the word 'elder' somewhat loosely. It appears that this term was sometimes an office in the Melchizidek preisthood to which one could be ordained.
During their tenure as missionaries, Paul and Barnabas went about building up the church:
"...Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." (Acts 14:22-23)
Paul wrote the following in his epistle to Titus:
"...thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city" (Titus 1:5)
In other cases, such as Moses and the seventy, it appears "elder" was a title given to those who were ordained as seventies or who had been set apart to perform some other designated function in the church.
It was also customary for the "elders of the church" to perform faith healing and to remit sins:
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:1)
High Priest
Paul tells us the Savior was a high priest:
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." (Hebrews 4:12)
The Savior was ordained to the office of high priest by His Father:
"So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee... as he saith in another place (Paul is quoting from scripture)... Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 5:1,4-6)
In that same chapter, Paul gives requirements for anyone who would be ordained to the office of High Priest "after the order of Melchisedec":
"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins." (Hebrews 5:2-3)
Other Offices, "Keys", or Callings of the Priesthood
Bishop/Pastor
Paul and Timotheus' epistle to the Philippians was addressed to, among others, the bishops of the church. (Philippians 1:1)
Paul tells us the requirements or qualifications for service as a bishop:
"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:2-7)
It is interesting to note that a bishop can be married.
Patriarch/Evangelist
In his travels, Paul mentions staying with "Phillip the evangelist, one of the seven" in Caesaria. (Acts 21:8)
By this, we can infer that there were only seven evangelists in the church at the time, so this must have been considered a relatively high office.
Paul counselled Timothy to work hard in fullfilling his calling to the office of an evangelist:
"But awatch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an bevangelist, cmake full proof of thy ministry." (2 Tim 4:5)
Seventy
As Moses began to lead the people of Israel, he felt the burden of trying to lead the whole group by himself. In response to this need, the Lord commanded Moses to call seventy men to serve as leaders over the people:
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall abear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone." (Numbers 11:16-17)
After calling the seventy, Moses asked them to go with him to Mount Sinai, where he received the Ten Commandments:
"...then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel..." (Exodus 24:9)
During His ministry, the Lord called groups of seventy and sent them abroad in sets of two to orchestrate the preaching of the gospel:
"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place..." (Luke 10:1)
Sealer
During His ministry the Savior gave Peter the keys of the sealing power:
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: ...Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18)
In teaching the Ephesians, Paul made reference to "being sealed":
"after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13)
John the Revelator saw the tribes of Israel, who had been sealed:
"And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an ahundred and forty and four thousand of all the btribes of the children of cIsrael. Of the tribe of aJuda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of bReuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of aJoseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand." (Revelation 7:4-8)
In ancient times, the Hebrews attributed certain things to certain numbers. Here, we see John use the number "twelve" to represent authority, and the number "one-thousand" to represent magnitude or completeness. In my ind, this suggests that all of the complete tribes of Israel were sealed by way of priesthood authority.
Apostle
Although the word "apostle" is not explicitly used here, the pattern of calling twelve men to lead Israel is evident:
"These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers..." (Numbers 1:44)
"...then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man." (Joshua 4:4)
At the outset of his earthly ministry, the Savior called twelve apostles. This is the account according to the Gospel of Luke:
"And when it was day, [Jesus] called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. " (Luke 6:12-16)
Here again, Jesus calls apostles according to the Gospel of Mark:
"And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Canaanite, And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house. (Mark 3:14)
Between the two accounts, we can construct a complete list of twelve:
Simon (Peter)
Andrew
James
John
Phillip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James (son of Alphaeus)
Simon Zelotes/the Caananite
Judas
Thaddeus
So significant was the office of apostle in the minds of the people at that time, that when the Savior's friends and family saw Him healing, casting out devils and calling twelve, they tried to stop Him, fearing He would get into trouble with the religious and legal authorities of the day. (Mark 3:21)
There were other apostles, who took the places of Judas Iscariot and others as needed:
Matthias (Acts 1:24-26)
Paul (Galatians 1:1)
Barnabas (Acts 14:14)
Judas and Silas (Acts 15:25-28,32-33)
John Mark (Acts 15:36-37, 2 Timothy 4:11)
Here, we see the ancient church calling new apostles, keeping an active set of twelve going. This is consistent with the pattern established at the time of Moses. When Joshua took Moses' place, he not only continued the office of prophet, but he also maintained a set of twelve apostles. (See Joshua 4:4)
King David prophesied that when Judas Iscariot died, another would take his place. (Acts 1:20)
Paul told the Ephesians that the foundation of the church was prophets and apostles, with Christ being the "chief cornerstone". (Ephesians 2:20)
Prophet
The prophet Amos said:
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
That this idea was present at the time of Moses seem evident. Here the Lord speaks in defense of Moses and his prophetic calling:
"And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream." (Numbers 12:6)
Whenever the Lord has established His kingdom on the earth, He has always called a prophet. He always has and He always will, for He his the "same God, yesterday, today, and forever". (Hebrews 13:8)
Luke makes reference to prophets in the church in his time. (Acts 13:1)
Paul taught that prophets are part of the church of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:20)
Paul told the Ephesians that by revelation to a prophet - Peter, the Lord had made known to them that it was time to preach the gospel among the Gentiles. (Ephesians 3:5)
God sent a prophet to the people of Paul's time as in time of old: that prophet was the very Son of God. (Hebrews 1:1)
Anciently, they also called prophets "seers". (1 Samuel 9:9)
Peter reminded his people that we are always to be mindful of the words of the prophets and apostles, even when the world rejects and mocks us for so doing:
"...I write unto you...that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts..." (2 Peter 3:2)
Whenever the world has been without a prophet or without the church of Christ for a time, or whenever there's a question in the minds of the people about who the new prophet should be, the Lord always calls a new prophet by miraculous means:
When the Israelites had been in slavery in Egypt for 400 years without a prophet, God spoke to Moses out of a burning bush. (Exodus 3)
After a long while without revelation (no "open vision"), the Lord called to Samuel in his sleep. (1 Samuel 3)
The Lord commanded Elijah to anoint Elisha to take his place as the prophet, thus perpetuating an existing chain of prophets. (1 Kings 19:16)
The birth and calling of John the Baptist was foretold by an angel. (Luke 1:5-22,57-77)
The First Presidency
There
is ample evidence in the New Testament that the Lord had chosen three
from among the apostles to associate with and receive revelation along
with Him and to govern over the Church. To name a few:
- The Mount of Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-17, Luke 9:28, Mark 9:2
- The Atoning Sacrifice in Gethsemane: Mark 14:33
- Prophecies concerning the Second Coming: Mark 13:3
- Raising a girl from the dead: Luke 8:50-56
Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods
Priesthood After the Order of Aaron, or Levitical Priesthood
The Lord commanded Moses to organize Aaron and his sons and the tribe of Levi and give them authority and callings to officiate in the ordinances and service of the tabernacle. (Numbers 3:2-12)
The Aaron and his sons and the Levites are set apart and begin their service in the sanctuary. (Numbers 8)
Aaron and his sons and the Levites are charged again with the keeping of the tabernacle or sanctuary. The sons of Aaron and the Levites are given to Aaron "by an ordinance forever". (Numbers 18:1-8)
The priesthood of the Lord is the inheritance of the Levites (Joshua 18:7)
Aaron and his sons are set apart to minister for the Lord forever (1 Chronicles 23:13)
Aaron and his sons use the laying on of hands in administering the sacrifices among the children of Israel. (Exodus 29:10)
Paul taught that the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood changed in conjunction with "a change in the law", or the fulfillment of the law of Moses. He also referred to the need for both the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods:
"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? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." (Hebrews 7:11-12)
Priesthood After the Order of Melchizedek
Melchizedek was "the priest of the most high God" to whom Abraham paid tithing. (Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7:1-2)
King David prophesied that Jesus would restore the gospel in his time, and that He would become a "high priest after the order of Melchizedek" (Psalms 110:2-4)
God the Father ordained His Son to be a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:5-6)
Other Priesthood Practices
Setting Apart
There are handfuls of references to the practice of "separating" or "setting apart" all over the Bible, though perhaps most frequently in the books of Exodus and Numbers. To name a few:
The Lord commanded the Levites to be set apart. (Numbers 8:14)
The Levites are set apart to do the service of the tabernacle. (Numbers 16:9)
Joshua is "set apart" to take Moses' place as prophet. (Numbers 27:13,18)
The Levites are "separated" to bear the Ark of the Covenant. (Deuteronomy 10:8)
Aaron and his sons were "separatd" to minister to the Lord forever. See the "Aaronic Priesthood" section of this article for more references to "separating" or "setting apart" in conjunction with Aaronic priesthood responsibilities. (1 Chronicles 23:1)
In the New Testament, Barnabas and "Saul" - later called "Paul" were "separated" or "set apart" as apostles. (Acts 13:2)
Laying On of Hands
The Levites were consecrated by the laying on of hands. (Numbers 8:9-11)
The Savior used the laying on of hands to heal the sick. (Mark 6:5)
Paul and the other apostles used the laying of hands. (Acts 6:6)
The Savior prophesies of great signs following them that believe, including laying on of hands to heal the sick. (Mark 16:18)
Paul tells Timothy not to "neglect the gift... which was given thee by prophecy and by the laying on of hands." (1 Timothy 4:14)
Authority and the Obligation to Serve
Jesus chastised the Pharisees of his time for "enlarging the borders of their garments", for calling themselves "Father" and "Master", for abusing their post to aggrandize themselves:
"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:5-11)
The priesthood is not for exalting ourselves, but is a great reason to humble ourselves as we undertake to do the Lord's work by virtue of our calling. The priesthood is not for making us "the boss", but for making us the servants of the Lord's people.
What It Means to Me
For me, this opportunity to study the ancient priesthood in depth has been a real eye opener. All growing up, I was taught - and believed - that the priesthood had been restored in its ancient fulness. Most people who study the priesthood in the Bible come from a perspective of trying to understand an ancient text in the best way they know how. I come from a perspective of having been raised in that priesthood, so it gave me great joy to see in the pages of the Old and New Testaments the same familiar priesthood in all its ancient glory - with all the same offices, practices, and duties - in virtually every particular!
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