Hebrews 5-7. Jesus Christ is Greater than Melchizedek

Read Hebrews 5:4; Numbers 27:18, 23; Doctrine and Covenants 42:11; Articles of Faith 1:5. From these verses describe in writing the Lord’s approved pattern for how someone comes to be a priesthood leader. How do we know who has authority in the Church today?

Priesthood leaders are called of God and set apart by the laying on of hands. The person who calls and sets them apart must have the proper authority to do so. No person can simply take a priesthood leadership position on their own without each of the proper elements in place.

2. Read Hebrews 5:7-8; Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25-40 and the institute student manual commentary for Hebrews 5:7-8, “Does the Phrase ‘Though He Were a Son’ Apply to Melchezidek, to Christ, or to Both?” (p. 384). Write the answers to the following questions:

o Why was Melchizedek considered a great high priest?

He was a very righteous man who established and maintained peace, and his people also sought after righteousness. He was a living foreshadow typifying of Jesus Christ.

o List a few of the miracles he performed according to Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25-40.

Verse 30-31 state that he had power to “break up mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to [defy] armies, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God.” It seems that the power to perform these miracles is available to everyone who is ordained after the same order as Melchizedek.

o What Old Testament prophet did Melchizedek bless?

Abram, or Abraham.

o Read Doctrine and Covenants 107:2-4 and explain why we call the greater priesthood the Melchizedek Priesthood.

This was to avoid vainly and repetitiously using the name of God.

3. Read Hebrews 6:1-3. Then write answers to the following questions:

o What important doctrinal correction did Joseph Smith make in Hebrews 6:1? (See footnote a).

He noted that the verse should read “Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ”

o Why is it important that a person not leave behind faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost?

Faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost are the very foundation of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Without these things, we lose the very essence of the gospel of salvation, which is to allow the children of God to repent and return to Him through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

4. Read Hebrews 6:4-6; Alma 24:30; Doctrine and Covenants 76:31-38 and the institute student manual commentary for Hebrews 6:4-6, “What Must People Do in Order to ‘Crucify To Themselves the Son of God Afresh, and Put Him to an Open Shame’?” (p.385). According to Matthew 12:31, how serious is the sin described in Hebrews 6:4-6? Write what a person must do to become a son of perdition and what the eventual punishment will be.

This is the most serious of sins: to deny the Holy Ghost after knowing of a surety and having a personal witness that Jesus is the Christ, and of the plan of salvation. They will suffer for their blatant sins against God, and will not be redeemed. (Personal thought here….)I wonder if it is because they no longer have faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ. In order for the atonement to have place in us we must first have faith, and then repent. Based on the scriptural evidence, it would seem that it is only open rebellion that creates a son of perdition. I think the path that is taken for those people begins at least with a lack of true faith, and perhaps ends that way as well.

5. Read the institute student manual commentary for Hebrews 7:3, “Was Melchizedek ‘Without Father, Without Mother, Without Descent’?” (p. 385). Identify in writing who Hebrews 7:3 is speaking of.

The right to the priesthood is not something that is passed down from father to son (although it can be conferred on a son by a father, or on a father by a son), rather it follows the proper order through righteousness. This verse is specifically referring to the priesthood, not to an individual.