Organization of Christ's Church

by Robert Rosskopf

The church that Jesus first organized upon the earth had apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

"28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
(1 Corinthians, 12)

"11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"
(Ephesians 4)

This authority could not be bought.

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money."
(Acts 8)

Nor could it be assumed.

"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."
(Hebrews 5)

The Lord called missionaries and sent them out to prepare the way.

"1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."
(Luke 10)

Baptism was a covenant that replaced the covenant of circumcision. It was done by immersion.

"11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
(Collossians 2)

Baptism was so important, that Christ's church also practiced vicarious baptism for the dead, so that those who have already died, without baptism, might yet receive it.

29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
(1 Corinthians 15)

There is a church like this on the Earth today. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was created as a restoration of Christ's ancient church. God the father, and his son, Jesus Christ, both appeared to Joseph Smith in a vision, and told him to join none of the existing churches, that their creeds were an abomination and their ministers were all corrupt.

Later, an angel appeared to Joseph and showed him the location of an ancient book of scripture. Joseph was later allowed to retrieve and translate this book by the gift and power of God. We have it today as the Book of Mormon. Among other things, it records the visit of Christ to the Americas after his resurrection, and ascension.
After its translation, three witnesses were allowed to see the original book, as it was held by the angel Moroni, and hear the voice of God proclaim the translation to be correct.
On a separate occasion, Peter, James, and John, resurrected apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and conferred upon them Apostolic authority, or Melchizedek Priesthood. This was the same authority that Jesus held during his mortal sojourn. Under the direction of the Lord, his church was restored to the Earth with the original organization and the proper priesthood authority and all of the plain and precious doctrines that had been lost during the many years of apostasy.

It was run under the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood (Hebrews 11).

The authority of God was again evidenced by miracles, just as it was in the ancient Christian church.

"17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
(Mark 16)