Why did God forbid priests who had defects from serving?

Question: In Leviticus 21:18, those people were not responsible for being that way. How can I explain this to others, especially that of a flat-nosed person? Answer: Many of the laws regarding worship under the Old Testament existed because they symbolically represented something under the New Testament. Thus, sacrifices had to be without defect (e.g.…

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Was Mary’s mother a Levite?

Question: Regarding necessary inferences in the New Testament: Fact: Mary and Elisabeth are cousins. Fact: Elisabeth had to be a full-blooded Levite in order to marry a priest. (Zacharias) Fact: Mary’s father was of the tribe of Judah. What would be wrong with making a “necessary inference” and infer that Elisabeth’s mother and Mary’s mother…

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Corruption in Church Organization

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/0020/01/CorruptionInChurchOrganization.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 20:17-35   I.         Equality of members (first century)             A.        The early church was marked by the equality of its members – Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11             B.        As Jesus prayed, the desire was for all Christians to be one – John 17:20-21             C.        There were different duties, but the people were seen as…

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Why do people choose the priesthood when they want to follow Jesus?

Question: I was wondering if many people who accepted Jesus and decided to follow him joined the priesthood. My question is: Is becoming a priest the only way to follow Jesus and go to Heaven? Why do people choose the priesthood when they want to follow Jesus? And what is the difference between becoming a…

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Was the standard for priests to have short hair and trimmed beards?

Question: I was wondering about Ezekiel 44:20, “They shall neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow long, but they shall keep their hair well-trimmed.” I was wondering: Was this a standard for the priests before this time or was this instituted later? I can’t seem to find it for the priests beforehand. But…

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All Christians Are Priests

by David J. Riggs from Catholic Teaching Examined A study of the New Testament reveals that all Christians are priests. Peter said, “You too are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit, into a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:5; The New Catholic Translation). Thus, all Christians…

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Why can’t women be priests?

Question: Hello, I’ve got a question: Why can’t women be priests? I’ve already asked my dad and he says it’s just because of tradition. I’ve been wanting to know more about God and I’m a lot more curious about why things are. A thing I do believe is that there are certain things that women…

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Did the Levitical priesthood replace the priesthood of Melchizedek?

Question: “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law” (Hebrews 7:12). Did the Levitical priesthood replace the priesthood of Melchizedek? Answer: Under the Old Law of Moses, priests came from the tribe of Levi and, starting with David, kings came from the tribe of Judah. Melchizedek was…

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