Do Bible Teachings Contradict Modern Revelation Regarding the Need for the Priesthood?

Detractors of the LDS faith incorrectly assume that every Christian is automatically a member of the priesthood. They cite 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:4-6 and Hebrews 7:21 as proof texts, asserting that all Christians are now priests and that Christ is the one and only high priest forever. Some claim there is no official priesthood in the New Testament. They ask why we would need official priests now since Christ came and shed his own blood as a sacrifice for us. They also claim that there was no further need for a temple since blood sacrifices were done away with after Calvary.

We should first note that the above cited scriptures were not written simply to the general membership of the Church, but to the elect [1 Peter 1:2, 22-23], and especially to those called as priesthood bearers [Heb 3:1; 1 Peter 2:5; Rev 1:4; JST Rev 2:1]

Christ was "Called of God as a high Priest" [Heb 5:10; 6:20] but he was not the only one [Heb5:1]. Despite Protestant claims to the contrary, there are absolutely no scriptures stating that Christ was the last high priest. He was also a priest [Heb 7:15-17], a bishop [1 Peter 2:25], an apostle [Heb 3:1], and a prophet [Matt 21:11; John 4:19, 6:14; 7:40] - positions also held by other men. Paul wrote to the Hebrew saints after the Ascension of Christ into heaven: "the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity" [Heb 7:28]. "For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices [not blood sacrifices]" [Heb 8:3]. John the Apostle also testified that Jesus Christ "hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father [Rev 1:6]

While there are few New Testament references to priests other than Jesus Christ and converted Levite priests [Acts 6:7], we should not assume that this office was abolished. The early church has priests along with bishops and deacons. Origen [ca 240AD] spoke of the church hierarchy in the 2nd century, describing the priest's office as being between that of the deacon and bishop [Jean Danielou, Origen, p 44-45, 49-50]. Eusebius [ca 300AD] clearly distinguished between those holding the priesthood [i.e. bishops, presbyters, or elders, deacons etc] and the lay members both men and women [Eusebius, History of the Church, 6:19, 23, 43, 7:30; 10:3, 4]

Eugene Seaich observers that "documents from the early Church show that the Aaronic Priesthood did not immediately disappear from Christianity. 1 Clement [ca 96AD] divides the priesthood into High Priests, Priests, and Levites. The latter was also called "Deacons" and, according to Jusin's First Apology [ca 150AD], were responsible for passing the bread and wine to those attending service" [Ancient Texts and Mormonism, p. 59]. Though the title of "priest" was rarely used in the New Testament, so also were simular priesthood titles such as pastor [Eph 4:11], evangelist [Acts 21:8, Eph 4:11, 2 Tim 4:5], presbytery [1 Tim 4:14], and seventy [Luke 10:1, 7]

Perhaps this question is raised because those protestants who admit there was an official priesthood have a problem. They have no claim to authority by succession, since the Catholic Church long ago cut them off. On the other hand, if protestants can claim that the priesthood is legitimately inherent in Christianity, then this justifies their claim to authority. However, if the Protestant line of reasoning is correct, then anyone can start a new church and claim the authority. Unfortunately, this is exactly what has happened today as confusion reigns among the hundreds of Christian churches. This cannot be God's way, for his is a house of order, not of confusion [D&C 132:8].

There was definitely an official, unchangeable [Heb 7:24] and everlasting [Ex 40:15; Num 25:13] priesthood in the early church which was given to those called and ordained [John 15:16, Acts 1:22, 14:23; 15:22-23, 32; Eph 2:20; 4:11-12; 1 Tim 2:7, 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 1:5]by the laying on of hands [Acts 6:1-6; 13:1-3]. These priesthood holders referred to as elders [Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4; 20:17 etc.] bishops [1 Tim 3:1, 2; Titus 1:7; Peter 2:25], deacons [Phil 1:11; Tim 3:8, 10, 12, 13], the presbytery [1 Tim 4:14], and other titles, accomplished healings [James 5:14-15] and other miracles [Mark 16:17-18] and led the Church [Acts 15:2-6].

In conclusion, one cannot claim priesthood authority out of thin air and without the laying on of hands by someone of authority. The doctrine of "priesthood of all believers" cannot be of God and definitely is not Biblically supportable based on their standard proof texts when applied to the rest of the scriptural support concerning the subject.