"Peter1000, post: 69808509, member: 382212"]First of all, since you do not believe in the priesthood, no one in your church has it or wants it.
---Peter, God rules my church. Not you. Not mormonism. Don't be surprised by that fact when the time comes. You wish to remain under your delusions, go right ahead. I'll continue to pray for you that you come to enjoy the full blessings of being one in Christ.
So just to say that we are all priesthood holders and that is the great spiritual equalizer means nothing.
---It means a lot to God. If it doesn't mean anything to you, so be it. I'm not here to control your life.
The Mormons have a temple, and a veil, but we do not sacrifice animals any more, that was done away when the last great sacrifice of Jesus Christ was made. Now we remember him through the sacrament of the Lord's supper.
Or do you even do the sacrament, since you probably do not believe that ordinance saves you, so why do it?
---You're getting a bit tetchy here, aren't you? Your irritation is showing when you snidely imply that we don't bother to hold Communion? Seriously? I'll overlook it for now, but you might want to tone that down a bit in future. It would be considered flaming in some people's eyes.
The present power structure that exists in the church today is approximately the same power structure that existed in the NT church.
---There is no human "power" structure within the NT church. Jesus is our Head. We are His willing hands and feet, bringing His Gospel, God's message of salvation, to the lost of the world. We are all equal workers in God's Kingdom, working toward the same goal. Nobody is higher than another in Christianity. The only true "power" at work is God's grace and love.
Every member that is baptized is given the opportunity to hold the priesthood and act in their calling thereof. Some don't take it seriously and don't take the priesthood. Some take the priesthood and then fall away and their priesthood is useless to them. You were once a member, what priesthood did you hold?
---You see, that's the very thing that God cannot stand. Division. HE looks upon us as equal sinners, so why shouldn't He expect us to follow His lead? You know Galatians 3:28 just as well as I do, so I won't quote it here and insult your intelligence. You commit heinous sins, you are not righteous compared to God's perfect holiness. You commit one tiny sin, you are not righteous compared to God's perfect holiness. No one can be, whether they are man or woman or priest. Priests were human. They sinned. Even they, who brought the sinner's sacrifice before the Lord, had to confess
their sins. What is so bad about being equal before God in light of that? Who is like Him? Even men and women are equals before Him, in any culture. Not so in mormonism. I wasn't allowed to hold a "priesthood", being female. See? There are no equals in mormonism, so why this got you so upset is beyond me. I'm merely stating the truth as it appears as plain as the nose on your face. It's a pyramid scheme when it comes to the hierarchy of "power". You can't see it for what it is because you benefit from it. Admit it.
When the protestant movement took shape around 1500ad, this was a major issue. It was decided then that because of the corrupt Catholic church priesthhod, there didn't need to be a priest between God and man, hence the belief that there really isn't any priesthood. Luther was wrong. There is a need. The same need that the NT people needed apostles and bishops and elders etc., etc., etc.
---Why don't you tell Lutherans this, that Luther was "wrong"? I'm not Lutheran, so I can't speak for them. I can speak for Christianity, being a Christian, that all God's children, those who do His will, are priests. HE says so. Not the LDS. Who should we believe here? God? Or the LDS? We've already chosen, Peter. God wins. Every time.
And I do believe the Lutheran church has bishops and elders the last time I looked. Or did you either not know that, or did you forget that? Some churches believe in holding the apostles office. Good for them. But that man in that office is no better a Christian than I or anyone else is. And he knows it, and has no problem with the knowledge. We both love the same God and Savior, and are loved by Him. Equally. Is that the part mormonism cannot stand? We are all loved equally? IDK.
Read the NT again and ask yourself where is my apostle today?... Where is my bishop as in the NT, where are the Elders of the church, like in the NT? What offices do you have in your church. Maybe a pastor, or deacon. Well that's a start, but is woefully short of the NT church organization.
---What's in a name? And how do you know my church doesn't have bishops and elders? You are assuming it doesn't because its a "Christian" church? I hope you are old enough to know what happens when people "assume".
I know that doesn't matter to you because it doesn't fit your agenda, but if Christ thought these offices were important, maybe they are.
---I don't have an "agenda" except to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the Lost, wherever or whoever they happen to be, Peter. God loves you, and has a wonderful plan for your life.
For a day in Your House is better than a thousand. It is better to be a door-keeper in the House of my God, than to be living in the tents of sin. (Ps 84:10)
Let me get that door for you.