What Is Priesthood Authority?

One of the most foundational claims of the Latter Day Saint movement, is that God has granted its leaders a special “Priesthood Authority” that those outside the church don’t have. This is such an essential doctrine that a person cannot even become a member of the LDS church unless he or she has been baptized by a Priesthood holder.

This is why many Mormons believe that baptisms performed by a person outside of the LDS Church are insufficient: Because the one performing the baptism lacks proper authority.

What does the Bible say about Priesthood Authority?

It should be noted that nowhere in the Bible is the term “Priesthood Authority” used. This is one of the reasons that Christians today are not likely to be familiar with it. But both Priesthood and Authority are mentioned in the Bible.

Under the Old Covenant, Priests were a group of men who had been set apart by God for the spiritual service of His people, under the direction of a High Priest. They were explicitly from the Tribe of Levi and were responsible for the daily duties and tasks associated with Worship—most notably—blood sacrifices.

But the authority granted by God to these Priests was conditional.

The Old Testament Priest was required to operate under God’s Law. If a Priest were to reject the clear instructions of God given in the Law he would find himself under God’s judgment. The authority of the priest was subordinate TO God’s previously delivered commands (Ezekiel 44:10-16). 

In other words, the true priest was the one who operated under the higher authority of God’s Word.

But the Bible tells us that when Jesus came, He established a new and better covenant with His people (Hebrews 8:6). Under this New Covenant, Jesus himself replaces and eternally fulfills the office of High Priest, and makes all of His followers Priests of God (Hebrews 7:26-28)!

This is why the Apostle Peter says,

“you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)

The book of Revelation says of Jesus,

“…You were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God…” (Revelation 5:9-10)

This means that now all true followers of Jesus are considered Priesthood holders regardless of race, sex or social standing.

So how is this Priesthood passed along?

The Laying on of Hands

Mormonism teaches that Priesthood Authority is passed from one person to another by the “Laying on of hands”.  But this is not what the Bible teaches.

In fact, when the Levites are first consecrated for their priestly duties in the Old Testament, it is the common people who lay their hands on the priests, not the other way around.

“When you bring the Levites before the LORD, the people of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites” (Numbers 8:10)

Even Aaron—when called to the priesthood—did not have hands laid upon him, as many Mormons think, but was required to lay his hands on the head of a ram who was then offered as a sacrifice (Exodus 29:19). 

The Bible nowhere teaches that Priesthood Authority is passed by the laying on of hands. In fact, we have no examples in the New Testament of Jesus laying hands on his disciples in order to grant authority! This is why when Jesus commissioned His disciples in Matthew 28 He says,

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

So Who has Priesthood Authority?

Jesus doesn’t need to “lay hands” to exercise or grant authority. He can just say the word. So, if a person were to see a Christian today “making disciples” as Jesus commanded, and were to challenge, “Who authorized you to do that?” Our answer would be, “JESUS!” Not by the laying of hands, not according to sex, race, or tribal heritage, but according to His Word.

Anyone can claim to have authority. But the true priest of God is the one who has received the authoritative command of Jesus, acknowledges Him alone as Great High Priest and submits to His Word as our Final Authority.