From these teachings of Jesus, we learn, then, the second mark of the Church of Christ. Not only will that Church believe in the necessity of continual revelation and actually receive it, but it will recognize the necessity of specially delegated divine authority to officiate in the name of God, and will provide in its Church organization for all the officers belonging to the priesthood of God.
Two orders of priesthood.
The Scriptures are full of evidences that there are two divisions of divine priesthood—the Order of Aaron, and the Order of Melchizedek. Jesus Himself, was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Without these orders of Priesthood, man can not legally officiate in the things of God, any more than superintendents, formen and workmen can rightfully proceed to erect a state capitol without official authorization from the commission in charge.
Do you know any Church that holds these two orders of priesthood in its organization? Does this Church recognize the fact that a man must be called and appointed of God to act in His name? Are the authority and power of the priesthood manifest in its operations? Does this Church also believe in and receive continual revelation from God? If so, it is possibly the Church of Christ. A third mark remains. That we shall consider in the next lesson.
THE REFERENCES
John 7:28, 29. John 15:16.
John 9:4. John 3:27.
John 5:19. John 20:21.