The Apostle Paul and his writings are a great asset unto the Church of Christ. He did understand the Law of Moses so greatly as to when he was finally able to set aside his prejudice he saw how it all did indeed point to Jesus as being the promised Christ. Paul was converted by the word, though his experience with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus was a very important step. As he began to look at the prophecies he could clearly see that it was He who was promised. He had truly come to fulfill the law.
Paul taught much about the role of the Priesthood and the offices that pertain to the Priesthood while always explaining that Jesus was the great High Priest who did truly atone for all the people. In his expounding on the topic he taught clearly that "no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." In Exodus we learn that Moses was commanded by the Lord to consecrate Aaron and his son to the office of "Priest" and that it would be their duty (Aaron's posterity) to hold that office forever. Later in the book of Numbers speaking of one of Aaron's grandsons named Phinehas we read, "And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel..." Then in the book of Joshua we find the Lord reaffirming that same promise through the new prophet, "But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance."
Thus we see through the ancient text that not all were honored to hold that office just those which whom the Lord said should and would. They did not either take this honor unto themselves but they were set apart from all the other tribes and it was their sole duty to serve the people. They were there to set an example unto all of the house of Israel. Their lives were dedicated to service in the temple in preparing and making offerings and sacrifice.
Thus we come to our day and the Priesthood is in our time also. Jesus ordained His Apostles with this authority and they returned to earth as resurrected beings and they too, as Jesus did to them, placed hands on heads to ordain new Apostles. This authority was as we see anciently not freely given to all men until the time finally came when the Lord in His wisdom gave His will for it to be so. Now all worthy men in all the world are invited to be His servants. The honor in which we give to Him is in service to His children. This is the nature of the call. All those that are willing to serve are invited to do so. Come let us work together in bringing about goodness on the earth, let us work together in love to bring hope and a little joy into the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters. There is so much pain and suffering in the world and we can do so much good.
The Lord will work with us going before us in preparing others to hear His message which we call "The Good News".
What say ye?
