Gospel Principles
Unit 5: The Church of Jesus Christ
Chapter 16: The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times
Concept 3: Some Features That Identify the Church of Jesus Christ: Authority from God.
"The ordinances and principles of the gospel cannot be administered and taught without the priesthood. The Father gave this authority to Jesus Christ (Hebrews 5:4-6 "4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."), who in turn ordained his Apostles and gave them the power and authority of the priesthood (Luke 9:1-2 "1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."). He reminded them, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and john/15/16b">ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." (John 15:16).
That there might be order in his Church, Jesus gave the greatest responsibility and authority to the Twelve Apostles. He appointed Peter chef Apostle and gave him the keys to seal blessings both on earth and in heaven (Matthew 16:19 "19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."). Jesus also ordained other officers with specific duties to perform. After he ascended into heaven, the pattern of appointment and ordination was continued. Others were ordained to the priesthood by those who had already received that authority. Jesus made it known through the Holy Ghost that he approved of those ordinations (Acts 1:24 "And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, .")."