“And Christ hath said: ‘If ye will have faith in me, ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.” –Moroni 7:35 RAV, 7:33 OPV
This second edition of Ordinances of the Saints is a quick reference guide to Priesthood ordinances for the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship. This should not be seen as Law, or set in stone. It is a guide for those that are new or need reminding on various ordinances. It is also to help perspective brothers and sisters wishing to enter the ministry. In addition, appendixes have been included with more information on various priesthood topics.
A Guide for the Priesthood of Zion
In the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship (the Fellowship), the priesthood is the power and authority to act in the name of God for the salvation of humankind. Male and female members of the Fellowship that have been moved by the Holy Spirit to inquire about ordination, and that meet standards of worthiness, may be ordained to specific offices within the priesthood. Males enter the ministry in the Aaronic branch of the Levitical Priesthood then, as moved by the Holy Spirit, grow into the High or Melchizedek Priesthood. Likewise, women enter the ministry by way of the Miriamic branch of the Levitical Priesthood (or some might say Priestesshood) and grow, as moved by the Spirit, into the Higher or Magdalene Priesthood. Both are branches of the same priesthood, the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God (see Doctrines of the Saints 5b: 1-7).
The Great High Priest of the Fellowship, and the Church (or Israel, people of God) as a whole upon the Earth, is Jesus Christ. He is the true head of every Christian organization. Thus, it is from Jesus that the Fellowship gets its authority to minister, perform ordinances, and invite souls unto Christ and salvation by His Grace and exaltation as we do His Works. The priesthood was first given to Adam and Eve as they exited the Garden of Eden. There, they made covenants with the Lord and were given Garments of the Holy Priesthood to wear as a sign of their ministry (see Genesis 3: 21, Book of Remembrance 10-17).
All are Called
Though we are taught through the prophet Joseph Smith Jr. that all that desire to serve are called, we may not take priesthood power or authority unto ourselves (Avahr 13:5). It has been conferred to the world by God through the restoration and passed down from John the Baptist; Peter, James, and John; Raphael who is Melchizedek, and others from Joseph Smith to the present day in all branches of Mormonism (see Hebrews 5; Avahr 21:2-5, 25:5-8; Revelations of David 9:30). The purpose of this book is to instruct the Saints on matters of theurgy: the works of the Lord.
If you have any questions or feel called to serve the Lord in the Fellowship, please contact us at info@cjccf.org.