How Were Apostles Chosen?

The following is to show that the apostles had to be literal witnesses of Christ’s resurrection. The fact that they could all die off didn’t matter because Christ was expected to come the second time before that happened.

How were they chosen?  Here is no mention of laying on of hands, just casting lots; also an apostle was a physical witness of Jesus Christ:

Acts 1:
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Here Paul tells his story of how he became an apostle (no mention of ordination by laying on of hands):

Gal.1:
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save .James the Lord’s brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Gal. 2:
1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Christ appeared to Paul so he could be a witness/apostle:

Acts 26:
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Cor. 9:
1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

Christ ordained Paul (refer to Acts 26):

Tim 2:
7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

1 Cor. 15:
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

The apostles were to gather the lost tribes:

James 1:
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Paul explains that the sacrifices of those under the first testament were not enough to redeem them from their sins, but Christ’s sacrifice covered for those under the first testament who were “called” (elect/chosen). This explains why he thought Christ came in the “end of the world” and the “last days”, so that his sacrifice would cover all those who came before him as well as the ones living in the present until his second coming. Only those who received the gospel before they died (the foreordained/predestined elect) would be saved, because preaching to the spirits in prison was done by Christ who was not there any more, but in heaven, and the elect were sure to receive it (Romans 11: 1-7). This also explains why only the spirits of those who died in the flood are mentioned as being taught (1 Peter 3: 19-20), because God’s chosen lineage (through Shem) worshiped the true God after the flood (Genesis 9: 26-27):

Hebrews 1:
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 9:
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 10:
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Romans 11:
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

1 Peter 3:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Genesis 9:
26 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
(One interpretation is that God shall dwell in the tents of Shem.)

The reason Paul said it was doing well to not marry and get distracted from the Lord’s work was because Christ was going to come soon.

1 Cor. 7:
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37 Nevertheless, he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

The anti-Christ was living in their time.
2 Thess. 2:
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Rather than the meaning of “calling and election made sure” being a visitation from Christ before dying, it could have originally meant having their inheritance redeemed at the second coming of Christ:

2 Peter 1:
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

More references to show they expected Christ to come in their lifetimes:

Matt. 16:
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Mark 13:
29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
32 ¶ But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Luke 12:
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Luke 21:
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation ashall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Romans 16:
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

Romans 13:
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

1 Cor. 1:
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 4:
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

1 Cor. 10:
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1 Cor 15:
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all asleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Phil. 1:
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

1 Thes. 1:
9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thes. 2:
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

1 Thes. 3:
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Thes. 4:
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thes. 5:
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not asleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thes. 1:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

2 Tim 4:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Titus 2:
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

James 5:
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

1 Peter 1:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1 Peter 4:
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

2 Peter 3:
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

1 John 2:
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

1 John 3:
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Jude 1:
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Rev.1:
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 JOHN to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 

Paul’s Doctrine on Marriage

1. I believe the reason Paul gave the advice he did about marriage in 1 Cor. 7 is because he believed the second coming of Christ was soon, and it would distract them from their missionary work of gathering the elect before He came.

2. This scripture makes celibacy sound like a virtue and like not all men were meant to be married and receive exaltation.
   Matthew 19:

   9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
   10 ¶ His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
   11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
   12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Temple Use After Christ

The article “Temple obsolete after Christ” uses the example of Paul offering sacrifice in the temple to show that temples were still used after Christ’s ascension. But the reason he did was because he was counseled to for his safety from the multitude that was about to come, since they had heard he was preaching against the law of Moses and circumcision. (Acts 21:18-26)

Acts 21:
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

I believe the early Christians did use the temple as long as they could until it was obvious to the Jews they were not worthy to enter, since they were bringing in uncircumcised Gentiles, etc.

Ezekiel 44:
9 ¶ Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

Paul taught that like the tabernacle/temple is symbolic of the creation of the earth, and the priest entering the holy of holies was symbolic of entering heaven/God’s throne, so too was the sprinkled blood from sacrificed animals symbolic of purging of sins (Hebrews 9:22-24). The real purging of the real earth was done by Christ’s blood, and he was then able to enter the real heaven/throne to make intercession. This is why temples were no longer needed (“God dwelleth not in temples made of hands” Acts 7: 47-50; Acts 17: 24).

He taught temples were no longer needed because the Gentiles/uncircumcised could not enter the temple.

Response:

The Temple was no longer needed because most of the ordinances of the Temple were ordinances of the Law of Moses, which law was fulfilled with the sacrifice of the Savior. Also, the rending of the veil at the death of Jesus was an obvious sign from God that the temple was no longer approved by Him. As you have pointed out the Temple was more of a tradition for the early Jewish converts which did not last long.

Alma 34:13
13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away.

3 Ne 15:4-5
4 Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses.
5 Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.

The higher ordinances of the Temple could not have been being performed (properly at least) because, as far as we know, there was no Melchizedek Priesthood that had the authority between Malachi and Jesus. The Apostles would have been given the authority but it is highly unlikely that those in control of the Temple would have allowed them to exercise it. The Temple ordinances of baptism for the dead and the endowment and sealings would probably have been performed at some other location dedicated for that purpose.

Christianity vs. Law of Moses

The following is to show that the Christian church is based on the doctrine of Paul and contradicts the doctrine of the Moses and the other OT prophets.

Paul taught that the covenants of Abraham and Moses were old, faulty, and needed to be replaced by a better covenant.

Hebrews 8:
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

What was the covenant? As long as they keep his commandments they will prosper in the land. If they break them, they will lose the land, but they can get it back if they repent. (Deut. 4:13; 5:2,3))

What did God really say?  The wicked of Israel will be destroyed and God will make a new covenant with the remaining righteous.  The children will not be punished for their fathers’ sins any longer.  God will circumcise their hearts and they will inherit the land forever.

Jeremiah 31:
29 In those days they shall say no more, the fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.
30 But everyone shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
31 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jeremiah 9:
25 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;
26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.

Deut. 30:
1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee,
2 And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.
4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Does that mean they don’t have to be circumcised in flesh (Abrahamic covenant) or obey the Mosaic Law?  No.

Ezekiel 44:
9 ¶ Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

Genesis 17:
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Malachi 4:
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

But, Paul taught that as long as one was circumcised in heart, he did not have to be circumcised in the flesh.  They taught that sacrifices and other ordinances were not necessary to observe any longer because of Christ’s sacrifice and the believers’ circumcised hearts.

Galatians 5:
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Acts 21:
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

Col.2:
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Eph.2:
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Hebrews 10:
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

God said he didn’t have pleasure in sacrifice because they sacrificed without repenting of their sins (obeying the law), not because the animal sacrifice with sincere repentance was not sufficient to take away sin.  Christians say we don’t need animal sacrifice or circumcision because we are obeying a new law/covenant of a circumcised heart, but God has always required a circumcised heart.

I think Paul taught this so the Gentiles would be more likely to convert.

Romans 15:
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

Paul taught that the promise God made to Abraham was that the Messiah would come through Isaac, and we can receive our inheritance of eternal life by having faith in this Messiah.

Galatians 3:
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

What does the promise really say? (Genesis 17: 1-19)

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
9 ¶ And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

1.    The covenant is between God and all of Abraham’s seed (coming from Sarah), through Isaac, not just one seed.
2    He will give them the Land of Canaan for an everlasting possession.
3.    They must worship the true God and be circumcised.

It is obvious God is talking about seed plural, not singular.  Paul reinterpreted the scriptures.

Paul taught that the elect seed, God’s servant, is Jesus; the OT says it is Israel.

Paul taught Jesus would be a light to the Gentiles by converting them to the gospel through the apostles.  The Gentiles who are chosen will be drawn and taught by God’s spirit and will worship the true God.  The OT says they are a light by overcoming their enemies and proving their God is the true God.  The Gentiles will worship the true God because they have suffered the wrath of God.  The Gentiles will bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to the temple.

Paul taught Jesus redeems us from hell when we repent of sin; the OT taught God redeems the Israelites from their enemies when they repent of sin.

Isaiah 41:8-16
But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend… they that strive with thee shall perish… they that war against thee shall be as nothing… I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel… I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth…

Isaiah 42:
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

13 The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.

17 ¶ They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

Isaiah 49:
3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.
5 ¶ And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
24 ¶ Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Isaiah 56:
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Malachi 1:
11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah 61:
6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.

Isaiah 66:7-19
…shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children… For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees… For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many…And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

Paul taught that because the Jews did not accept Christ, the gospel was preached to the Gentiles, which would cause the Jews to be jealous that the Lord favored the Gentiles over them, and would bring the Jews to believe in the Christ.

Romans 10:
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

Romans 11:
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

What I believe the OT is really saying is that God allowed the Gentiles to overcome the Israelites because of their disloyalty to him, showing favoritism to the Gentiles.

Deut. 32:
21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

The following has been interpreted by Paul (Romans 10: 19-20) that the Gentiles, who are not called by God’s name, are seeking after God, so he adopts them in place of Israel:

Isaiah 65:
1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

God is really talking about the Israelites, not the Gentiles.  The Israelites did not ask for him nor seek him even though he called them.  Here is a better translation:

1.  I was available to those who did not inquire of me;
I was accessible to those who did not seek me.
I said, Here am I; I am here,
to a nation that did not invoke my name.
(Avraham Gileadi translation)  isaiahexplained.com

Isaiah 65:
12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake ye did not hear…

Paul says nothing of a land of inheritance or beating their Gentile enemies into submission and servitude.  The Gentiles become the elect, servants and friends of God, and the Jews the enemies.

Paul taught obeying the Law of Moses will not bring them their inheritance (of eternal life), only faith in Christ will.  The people who obeyed the old covenant (dead works) could not be redeemed for their transgressions and receive eternal life until after Christ’s atonement was made, and that was if they were “called”.

Hebrews 9:
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

The Lord forgives Israel for his own sake, not the Messiah’s sake:

Isaiah 43:21-25

This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise…
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Paul taught that like the tabernacle/temple is symbolic of the creation of the earth, and the priest entering the holy of holies was symbolic of entering heaven/God’s throne, so too was the sprinkled blood from sacrificed animals symbolic of purging of sins (Hebrews 9:22-24). The real purging of the real earth was done by Christ’s blood, and he was then able to enter the real heaven/throne to make intercession.  This is why temples were no longer needed (“God dwelleth not in temples made of hands” Acts 7: 47-50; Acts 17: 24).  Maybe he taught this because the Gentiles/uncircumcised could not enter the temple?

But in the OT, God said, when he gathers his people, they will build the temple (used for animal sacrifice) and they will sacrifice daily and continually.

Ezekiel 46:
13 Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the Lord of a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning.
14 And thou shalt prepare a meat offering for it every morning, the sixth part of an ephah, and the third part of an hin of oil, to temper with the fine flour; a meat offering continually by a perpetual ordinance unto the Lord.
15 Thus shall they prepare the lamb, and the meat offering, and the oil, every morning for a continual burnt offering.

Jeremiah 33:
14 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.
15 ¶ In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.
17 ¶ For thus saith the Lord; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;
18 Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.
19 ¶ And the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, saying,
20 Thus saith the Lord; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;
21 Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.

Ezekiel 45:
17 And it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.

This next verse talks about the Day of Atonement.  .

25 In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days, according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meat offering, and according to the oil.

It sounds like the Messiah, king, prince, will act as high priest and perform the same sacrifices they always have, and not a sacrifice of himself (although it is symbolic if him bearing the sins of the people, and being sacrificed for those sins).

Religious myths are popularly viewed as being centered on the seasons and agriculture, but they are more complex than that.  The deities were portrayed as anthropomorphic beings, not natural phenomena, and the myths were written by scribes familiar with city-state government.  The structure of the pantheon, worshiped in Syria-Palestine, was the model of the social structure of the city-states in that region and functioned as a bureaucracy.  Among the Hosts of Heaven Pg.6

When the gods appointed a king, they made a treaty with him.  A covenant is like a treaty.  Breaking the clauses of the treaty signified rebellion against the gods and brought negative consequences.  Doing what was good in the gods’ eyes insured prosperity and divine protection.  Among the Hosts of Heaven  Pg. 29

Moses made covenants (or a treaty) with YHWH.  He is now responsible for governing the people of Israel.  The Israelites must also make a covenant (treaty) to obey the laws (clauses) that YHWH has determined.  The consequences of obeying are prosperity and protection; for breaking the consequences are the executions of individuals, enforced by the rulers (priests/elohim).  If they don’t enforce the laws and become corrupt, then the whole nation suffers death and slavery at the hands of their enemies because God withholds his protection.  He also withholds rain so they suffer famine.  This is why the high priest takes upon himself the unintentional sins of the community, because he is responsible for governing them.

Before the people asked for a king, the high priest judged the people in a theocratic form of government.  After a king was instituted, the roles became separated; the king governed over political and civil matters, and the high priest over spiritual matters.

1 Chron. 29:
22 And did eat and drink before the Lord on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.

With the building of the second temple in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel (a Jew) was anointed king and Joshua (a Levite) high priest.  There were two anointed ones (or messiahs).  The “Branch” refers to any anointed one/messiah.  Later the high priest headed the Sanhedrin, a group of 70 judges (elohim).

Zech. 4:
8 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.
11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candle stick and upon the left side thereof?
14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Zech.6:
11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

For the messiah seed of David to be high priest as well as king, he must be made priest after the order of Melchizedek. A Jewish interpretation of this psalm (different than the interpretation of Jesus or his apostles) is that it is written for the Levites to sing in the temple, so they are singing about God telling David (lower case L) to sit at his right hand:

The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’
The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. ‘Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. [...]‘
The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest for ever, in the order of Melchizedek.’
The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping op the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.
[Psalm 110.1-6

Melchizedek was a king priest.  When a king is anointed he becomes God’s son, as well as when one becomes a Melchizedek priest.

(Psalms 2: 2-9)
7 I will declare the decree:  the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Paul, in Hebrews 1: 2, 5, 8, quotes these scriptures, interpreting them to mean that God is speaking to Jesus.
Hebrews 5:
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.
6 As he that saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.

If God is speaking to Jesus then he became God’s son after he was baptized, when God declared it, and after he was made a priest after the order of Melchizedek.  In comparing the baptism narratives in the four Gospels, I noticed that in Mark and Luke, Jesus sees the spirit descending on himself and God is telling him he is his beloved son:

Mark 1:
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Luke 3:
20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

In John 1, John the Baptist bore record that he saw the Spirit descending on Jesus, and was previously told by whomever sent him to baptize, that this person (Jesus) whom he did not know (maybe because John had been living in the wilderness) would baptize with the Holy Ghost and he would be the Son of God.  He doesn’t mention hearing a voice testifying of such.

In Matt.3 God said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  It doesn’t say to whom he is talking (I’m assuming it was John).

Either there were two witnesses, John and Jesus, or just one witness, Jesus.  If God said “Thou” then Jesus may have been the only witness and didn’t know who he was or what his mission was until then, or John just happened to overhear and was an incidental witness because God was not talking to him.  If God said “Thou” then that was when Jesus became his Son.  In John the other disciples learn that Jesus is the Messiah from John the Baptist.  Jesus says he doesn’t need John to be a witness for him (John 5:31-39)

According to Jewish tradition, Melchizedek was Shem and the first person in the Torah to be called a Kohen.  The priesthood was passed from father to firstborn son (patriarchal order).  (All the patriarchs who offered sacrifices must have had the Melchizedek priesthood.)  When Esau sold his birthright, the priesthood went with it.  Before Israel was brought out of Egypt, the Lord told Moses to sanctify the firstborn of man and beast to the Lord (Exodus 13:2, 15).  I suppose this includes those seventy elders Moses took with him to see God. This meant they were made priests after the order of Melchizedek. When they sinned with the Golden calf, the priesthood was then given to the tribe of Levi.  The priesthood (role of priest) stayed with the descendents of Aaron, (the firstborns being high priests) and the other Levites were given less important duties serving in the temple.  However, when the Messiah comes, the priesthood will revert back to the way it was originally intended, with the worthy first born of all tribes (Melchizedek priesthood).  (wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohanim)

The only difference I see between the Aaronic priesthood and the Melchizedek priesthood is who has it and how it is received, so why would we have to have both at the same time?  It seems to me the Melchizedek priesthood is sufficient and Aaronic is not a prerequisite (besides the fact that it is only for the descendents of Aaron), and since animal sacrifices are no longer required, the function of the high priest has been limited to a judge.

In Samuel, not only are David’s seed to be the rulers forever, but they are described as imperfect mortals.

The Lord declares to you that the Lord Himself will establish a house for you. When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for My name [i.e, the Temple], and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he shall be My son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But My love will never been taken away from him. [...] Your house and your kingdom shall endure for ever before Me; your throne shall be established for ever.
[2 Samuel 7.11b-16]

Jesus seems to be saying the Messiah doesn’t have to be the seed of David (since, according to his genealogy, he would not be the seed of David through his father’s line, which was required to be heir to the throne).

Mark 12:
35 ¶ And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?
36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

The following scripture says the right of king shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes, so the scepter will depart from Judah when Shiloh comes and he does not have to come from Judah. Also, the people will gather to him.

Is Shiloh Melkizedek? Qumran Melchizedek text (11 QMelch) says a heavenly deliverer, Melchizedek, the great high priest and leader of the sons of heaven, comes to deliver the sons of light from the hand of Satan.

Genesis 49:
10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

It goes on to say (my interpretation) that Joseph is blessed more than all his other brothers.  It sounds like the Messiah/Shiloh (and possibly other kings) will come from him because of the words “branches, arms, shepherd, stone, crown”.

22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
23 The archers have sorely grieved him and shot at him, and hated him:
24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Moses blessed the tribe of Joseph prophesying:

Deuteronomy 33:
17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth…

Horns may refer to kingdoms, power. If Joseph has the birthright (which includes the Melchizedek priesthood) why doesn’t the Messiah come from him?

1 Chron. 5:
1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.
2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s:)

Conclusion:

I would think that the OT prophets would teach not only to believe in God but also his Son who would come, and that the ordinances are symbolic of him.  They don’t make any mention of him until Daniel and the book of Enoch, where he is called the Son if Man sitting on the right hand of God and coming down in the clouds.  They talk about the Messiah gathering Israel and defeating their enemies.  It doesn’t say anything about him making atonement with his life on behalf of the people.  Only Isaiah sounds like that, but the suffering servant can be interpreted as the nation of Israel suffering because of the transgressions of the people.  When the Lord explains why the people must keep the Passover, he always says it’s to remember being brought out of Egypt, and never says that it is symbolic of the future Messiah atoning for their sins and delivering them from spiritual bondage.  And if you study the meaning behind the Day of Atonement, it is only for unintentional sins caused by something the high priest did in ignorance, setting a bad example for the people, or others in the community transgressing ignorantly, and it was PART of making amends for stealing, cheating, lying.  It did not atone for sins done with a high hand (violent acts), adultery, dishonoring parents, breaking the Sabbath day, etc.  Those were all punished with the death penalty.  So, the Israelites had to suffer at the hands of their enemies because they committed these types of serious sins.  The Messiah/High Priest did NOT suffer/atone for those sins on behalf of the people.  The nation of Israel had to suffer to atone.   Even Paul, in the NT, says Christ’s atonement is for unintentional sins.

Hebrews 10:
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Paul likened Christ’s atonement to the role of the high priest.  If the high priest made atonement for the Gentiles as well as the Israelites, then one could say Christ atoned for all mankind by overcoming the effects of the fall of Adam and the consequential unintentional sins.  This isn’t the case because the high priest only made atonement for covenant Israel, and the NT says we must be taught the law and make covenants to be saved; therefore the atonement is effective only for the church or covenant Israel as far as forgiveness of sins is concerned.

Adam and Eve had free will and could be deceived, so human nature hasn’t changed.  The only thing that changed was the physical environment (including our bodies) from immortal to mortal.  God said they had become as gods, knowing good from evil, after partaking of the fruit, so now the only difference between humans and the gods is immortality.

According to the teachings of Christianity, mortality is what makes one fallen and unholy regardless of whether one has committed sin or not.  The death and resurrection of Christ made it possible for all mankind to resurrect because one who was not fallen/mortal and  required by law to die, did die.   All will resurrect and receive an immortal body regardless of making covenants because we inherited the effects of Adam’s sin.  When we become Christ’s seed instead of Adam’s, we  become holy and worthy to enter God’s kingdom, and can be forgiven of sins which were unintentionally committed before receiving the truth.