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IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN!
Authority of the Holy Priesthood Again Operative on Earth
WE believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. (Articles of Faith No. 5).
We have seen that certain ordinances, prescribed by the Lord Jesus Christ, are indispensable to salvation. Without baptism by water and the conferment of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands no man can enter the kingdom of God, for so the Lord hath affirmed and so the Scriptures attest.
The outward form, mode, or operation in each of these sacred and far-reaching rites is notably simple. So far as the physical procedure is concerned, any man of ordinary ability may learn to perform the ceremony, and that with a few minutes' oral instruction or reading. The same may be said of many ordinances prescribed in human institutions. One may readily commit to memory and learn to speak with due impressiveness the words by which a college degree is conferred upon the successful student, the formula by which man and woman are united in the bonds of wedlock, or the judicial pronouncement by which one prisoner is restored to liberty and another condemned.
But, as everybody knows, to make the utterance effective he who speaks must be invested with specific authority, without which his presumption to officiate would be a punishable offense under the secular law. Are consistency and reason less to be considered in matters of Divine administration than in the affairs of mortals?
Healing ministry to the afflicted in the name of Jesus Christ is one of the gifts of the Spirit implanted in the Church. The Apostles of old so administered, and with such effect that disease was stayed and evil spirits were rebuked. Certain vagabond Jews once attempted to imitate Paul in his authoritative functions, and among them were the seven sons of Sceva chief of the priests. (See Acts 19:11-18). Unto a suffering demoniac these evil and presumptuous men, void of authority and power, undertook to minister, solemnly pronouncing the words: "We adjure you by Jesus," and then, as if to put beyond question the Name in which they blasphemously essayed to speak, added "whom Paul preacheth." But the demon in the man laughed them to scorn, and cried aloud in derision: "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?"
The Apostles who were with the Lord in the flesh had been ordained by Him to the Holy Priesthood; and Paul who was later called into the ministry was ordained by the laying on of hands of those in authority. (Acts 13:2-4). Even the evil spirits acknowledged their authority, as earlier the demons had acclaimed the Christ "Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God." (See Mark 5:7). But for the vagabond pretenders there was contempt and humiliation.
And what of the impressive lesson taught by the experience of Simon the sorcerer? (See Acts 8:18-24). He marveled at the power demonstrated through the Apostles; for to the baptized believers upon whom they laid their hands came the Holy Ghost with manifestations of spiritual endowment. His mind, heart and motive darkened by sin, Simon sought to buy with money the power that only the call of God could impart: "But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." (Acts 8:20-23).