[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you both so very much for sharing your insights, dear brothers in Christ!

The LDS also has a Melchizedek priesthood (as well as an Aaron priesthood in their case.)

But I believe such non-Jewish priesthoods to be contrived for the very same passage in Hebrews explains that Melchizedek had no mother or father or children, that he is immortal. Thus his service does not end in mortal death. Indeed, some believe Jesus Christ is Melchizedek in the Old Testament - or in Judaism, that the coming Messiah is Melchizedek.

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. - Hebrews 7:1-10

Or to put it another way, Melchizedek is an eternal being and the priest forever after the order of Melchizedek is made that way by the word of God and nothing else.

And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. - Hebrews 7:20-22

The Scriptures speak only of Jesus Christ being made a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek and for that reason, I personally do not accept either the LDS or Catholic interpretation of mortals being priests on the order of Melchizedek.

If they were, they would be immortals appointed to service with a similar oath by God Himself:

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool....

The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. – Psalms 110:1 and 4

In other words, to be priests after the order of Melchizedek they would be timeless beings, not having a beginning or end.

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. - John 8:48

No mortal can say that, that "before Abraham was, I am."

Jeepers, in LDS theology even God the Father had a Father who had a Father and so on.

God's Name is I AM.

[Syncro]

I’ve always been fasinated by Melchizedek from the first time I laid eyes on his name and works in the Bible.

Thanks for bringing it all back with your timely dissertations on these threads.

[annalex]

some believe Jesus Christ is Melchizedek in the Old Testament

Type of Christ, certainly.

I personally do not accept ... mortals being priests on the order of Melchizedek.

They are through Christ and by the Grace of Christ, Who sent them like Himself. Otherwise this verse has no meaning:

As the Father hath sent me, I also send you (John 20:21)