Ask the Pastor: Melchizedek, Mormon Baptism, Magic, and Olive Oil and the Holy Spirit
by the Rev. Walter Snyder
Religion Columnist

Q: I'm not clear about Hebrews 7:3. It speaks of Melchizedek, saying that he was,
"without beginning or end of days" and not having father, mother, or genealogy. Hebrews 7:16
says he has an indestructible life. Why no genealogy? This continues to be a mystery to me.
A: Some take the account of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18; also Psalm 110) as a
~theophany~ (a visible manifestation of God), perhaps the pre-incarnate Christ. This would solve
the problem of the "forever." It would also go with his name, which translates to "King of
Righteousness."

However, the word translated "forever" is used in the New Testament only by the author of
Hebrews. It can also mean "continuously" or "uninterruptedly." This may not be commentary on the
person of Melchizedek, but on his priesthood. In other words, God continued his priesthood and
eventually the mantle was assumed by Christ, who wears it forevermore. This is especially possible
considering how the author of Hebrews points out that Christ is more than a priest in the order of
Melchizedek, but that Christ is the great High Priest. Thus, he holds an office even more superior to
Melchizedek's than Melchizedek's was to that of the Levitical priests of Israel.

As for the "indestructible life" of 7:16, note that this is not speaking of Melchizedek. Rather,
the One who has become a priest is Jesus. Even though he died, he rose again and fills the Threefold
Office of Prophet, Priest, and King forevermore.

Q: I grew up in a Christian home but joined the Latter-day Saints (Mormons) for a time.
They convinced me that they were truly Christian and I was baptized by them. I then found that
what the Mormons claimed was different from the Christianity I'd grown up with. I've now
found an Evangelical church, but they want me to be re-baptized before I can become a
member. I don't think this is necessary. My heart was in the right place when I was baptized
and I knew I was doing the right thing. My belief is that it doesn't matter where or by whom
you are baptized, only what is in your heart. Can you please give me your opinion on this?

A: I don't know about your particular church, but many Christian churches, including the
Lutheran Church, do not practice "re-baptism" of people who come from other Christian bodies.
However, we do baptize those whose only baptism is from the Mormon religion because we do not
consider what is done by them as Christian baptism. While Mormons speak the words "Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit," their teaching denies the Trinity, teaching three gods. Orthodox Christianity instead
claims upon biblical testimony that there is One God in Three persons. Likewise, while they say that
Jesus is (a) god, their understanding of Jesus is not that he is true God, of one substance with the
Father and also true man. This is not a matter of what was in your heart but what was in the teaching
of those who baptized you. Speak with your new pastor if you want to further clarify this.

Q: Can you practice good magic and be a Christian at the same?

A: No. Magic calls upon powers other than God, and even the so-called "good" forms are
contrary to his Word and lead people to trust in a source of goodness other than God. Not for
nothing does God warn us in the Bible that the devil often wears the mask of an angel of light.

Q: Why is olive oil a representation of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament?

A: God chose to use olive oil for anointing priests and kings, as well as some prophets. Since
they were called to these offices by the Holy Spirit, the outpouring of olive oil was intimately tied to
the outpouring of the Spirit. The New Testament only makes explicit (e.g., Revelation 11) what was
already going on throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Zachariah 4).

To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send
email to askthepastor@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."