History of Feet Washing

You can read all of John 13 but the verses that we Primitive Baptist abide by is found in...
John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

This has nothing to do with literally washing someone feet with soap and water. Soap is never mentioned and the brother or sister that participates in this service knows to show up for this service with clean feet. This is an example that Jesus left for us to participate in and is not a test of fellowship. Some of our brethren don't participate for one reason or another but I have had the priviledge to wash my Dad and Grandfathers feet who are no longer here. The feet washing is symbolic of where each of should be... at our brothers feet. Knowing that your brethren have washed your feet and you have washed theirs its makes you watch where you walk and the paths you take. Men wash mens feet and ladies wash ladies feet to keep everything decent and orderly. You will notice it is separate from the communion service and comes after it is concluded... Brother Glen the foot washing Primitive Baptist!

[ July 20, 2002, 05:51 PM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]

 

I started another topic about feet washing not knowing this topic already existed.

The church I use to attend had a foot washing on the 5th. Sunday in a month.

We would use aluminum wash pans and use our hands. Not everyone would take part because it says in the Bible to be "worthy" of this practice.

One group would sit down while another group would wash their feet going down the line until you washed everyone's feet and then they would exchange places.

First we would take part in the Lord's Supper.

I miss both of these. I go to a Freewill Independent Baptist church now but they haven't ever done either. I believe I will ask my pastor why.

It is a very humbling experience and a blessed one at that!!

Susan

 

I see this point; but still see it more symbolic than literal.

If it is considered as an ordinance, why is it not a test of fellowship?

Trying to believe.

God Bless.

Bro. Dallas

 

Bro. Dallas to take the wine out of communion or the unleavened bread... Would be a test of fellowship and we could no longer fellowship with that sister church because according to our practice she is out of order. If she restores what she took out then we can fellowship again.

The feet washing part on the other hand was not part of the communion service as the communion service had ended. I sure today if the feet washing was part of the communion service every baptist on here would wash feet but because it was set aside from it they don't.

When Jesus said you ought to wash one anothers feet as the example I set for you many say well he said you can or you can't as he clarified it with an ought. To my dad who was a deacon in our church an ought meant as much as a command... Wash your brothers feet!

If we are all trying to follow in the steps of Jesus shouldn't we wash our brothers feet? Why is not the example, precident set by Jesus Christ to wash our brothers feet? Since the Apostles washed each others feet should we not do the same? I've heard all the arguments against it but the truth is Jesus washed Peters feet... The same one that denied him thrice. Not only that all the other disciples feet to except Judas.

Not only that but Jesus told Peter if I wash thee not thou hast no part with me. Peter said not only my feet but my hands and my head. So feet washing is very important to me and our brethren but those that are not of us do not understand. Those among us who don't wash feet, they are missing out the enjoyment of washing there brethrens feet. I also feel when I wash feet in someway am also washing the Lord feet. Do as I have done unto you!... Brother Glen

 

I am delighted that the Lord led me to stop and read here. I have never known such mannerism as this has esposed me to and I am left with such a peace(for which I thank each of you brethren).

It would have been nice to have been in a service such as these.

 

Bro. Dallas if you were a Primitive Baptist I could wash your feet but I couldn't wash Granny Gumbos feet because she is a lady. I think some people get the wrong impression of Primitive Baptist... In my church the women are separate from the men on either side of the church back to back. There are also sheets draped over the back of the pews so not to expose the women washing other womens feet. We never have men wash womens feet and no explaination is necessary. Everything is done decently and in order in case any are interested... Brother Glen

 

That sounds really really nice, Bro.Glen. I'd even be shy about letting another woman wash my feet, but I know I could/would never allow a man to do it. [Except perhaps my husband.]

It seems to be such a humbling experience...and I truly enjoyed reading all about it.

 

I took this from the Primitive Baptist web site!

Question: Why do Primitive Baptists wash feet during communion?

John explains that, at the end of the Last Supper, the Lord began to wash the feet of the disciples. After performing this great act of humility, the Lord said, If I then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you (Jn 13:14-15). Primitive Baptists understand that this commandment is to be followed in literal detail as well as in spirit.

Many will dismiss these actions of Jesus as being no more than symbolic gestures; however, these same persons understand the last supper to be a literal example. We fail to see the consistency in this. If we are to take one as a symbolic gesture, we must take the other as being such also. Conversely, if the Lord intended literal observance of the last supper, then literal observance must have been intended for feet washing as well. The scriptures leave no doubt that the last supper is to be literally observed (I Cor 10:16-21, I Cor 11:23-30).

I Tim 5:9-10 indicates that feet washing was practiced by the New Testament church. Neither this text nor the example of Jesus can be dismissed as a cultural phenomenon since texts describing the cultural practice of feet washing have individuals washing their own feet (Gen 43:24, Judges 19:21, Song 5:3).

Unfortunately, such plain reasoning is easily obscured by human vanity, yet it was this very vanity that Jesus would have us destroy in the act of feet washing.

I might also add to this that I have seen brethren so moved by this service that they could have washed their brother feet with tears of joy as Mary who washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her hair... Brother Glen

[ October 12, 2002, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]

 

What about the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears? Was that wrong then?

 

AMEN... My point exactly!... We should always be at the Masters feet... In that you have done this to the least of these my brethren you've done it unto me... Does not this apply to feet washing also?... Brother Glen

 

"Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:" Gen. 18.4

Abraham speaking to our Lord, no doubt.

I certainly see the significance of feetwashing as designed to keep us humble; also as part of our ministry to the Lord, as I believe this example would show.

I asked before why this was not a "test" of fellowship; you answered this, however, you did say "if" I were a Primitive Baptist you could wash my feet. Perhaps there are more important differences in being "Primitive" or "Missionary" which I must learn first;

If I were called to Pastor a body which came by teaching of Scripture and conviction of Spirit to install this into the church I would not readily oppose it; this is why I am attempting to arrive at an understanding of it; If it is not necessary to remain in fellowship; but is symbolic of our service to the brethren and ministry to the Lord; then the use of it "practically," though not wrong, is it altogether necessary?

This last statment, I know appears to reveal pride of the flesh; this is not so;

We view the scene of feetwashing in exactly as it has been described above; to keep us in memory of where our walk in life takes us. Is the practical observance of it necessary then, is my question.

God Bless you all in your walk and service to Him.

Bro. Dallas

[ October 12, 2002, 06:36 PM: Message edited by: Frogman ]

 

The absence of footwashing would leave someone accustomed to its practice with the feeling that the service lacked something. (Given that the individual had need to be at another church, rather than the home church).

I agree Bro. Vaughn.

Because of my calling to preach, my family and I often visit other churches who I feel do not sing as much as they ought; (and often the singing is not as spiritually felt, though this may be because of my own condition sometimes).

Sometimes our singing will spill over into testimony and praise and will not have any preaching, not often, but I have seen this happen. I have been in other places, however, where the preacher seemed to take offense at the "cutting into" of the time of preaching; and I know preachers who openly have stated such.

While singing is not the preaching of the Gospel to the lost, nor the word of exhortation to the body; when and if the Spirit leads in this direction, it must certainly be pleasing to God.

Now let me ask a stupid question:

What is it that would keep Missionary and Primitive Baptists unable to fellowship if it is not "feetwashing?"

Does our position on the millenium hinder this?

We are Pr-Mil. We believe Christ will establish an earthly Kingdom in Jerusalem; however, we do not believe this constitutes a test of fellowship; I know some churches who do not believe this.

We are currently Independent of any Assoc. due to the experience we had in one church of our area of ordaining a Pastor who had been married and divorced and remarried; and the ordination of a woman as a deacon in another area church of the assoc.; to the extent to ask a Methodist preacher (a woman) to preach the ordination service.

For that reason we currently do not belong to any assoc. however, we recently voted in business meeting to start a cooperation with churches of like faith and practice, where we would receive and be received from time to time preachers from other bodies of same belief. This would be services held seperate from the regular meetings of each body so there would be no interruption in that.

God Bless you all in your walk and service to Him.
Bro. Dallas

 

Brother Dallas said:

Since Brother Vaughn is not of our belief I will answer you by saying that one of the things we don't believe in that I believe you do is Gospel Regeneration?... We do not believe that the elect have to hear in order to be saved. Primitive Baptist started a thread for Calvinist only on Faith that will address this question you are free to look at it and give your views.

What separates the Primitive Baptist from Missionaries is not just feet washing but goes deeper than that and are to numerous to mention... but I will list a few... No musical instruments... We sing accapella!... No salaried ministry... No theological schooled preachers most Primitive Baptist preachers are home grown and come from the congregation and are home taught. No missionary societies or boards. Any minister that feels he has been called to preach overseas may go... The Lord will provide!

There are many brethren that are called Primitive Baptist but are not of the Old Line of which I belong. We have Progressives... Absoluters... And No Hellers to mention a few. Brethren of these factions of Primitive Baptist will not associate with each other. I have been of the Old Liners or Old School as there is also New School for 35 years. So you see the problem is not just feet washing. If that were so you, brother robert, and I could wash one another feet!... I hope I didn't confuse you but cleared up some things. Also if you will look at the profile of some of these posters there are a few Primitive Baptist on the board from different parts of the country... They may or may not wash feet not all Primitive Baptist do... Brother Glen

[ October 14, 2002, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]

 

Thanks Bro. Glen,

You have helped me a great deal.

I will visit the other post and learn more, and maybe put in my own beliefs.

There are not many differences, the major ones I find being; 1) we do have music; 2) salaried ministers are permitted, but only per each church decision; 3) there is a growing prevalence (sadly) that one seek theological training. 4) we do believe the need for gospel regeneration; 5) we do believe it is the commission of the church to engage in missionary efforts and to support those who are called; (some believe the missionary should not support himself while in the field, apart from the "offerings" received, however, I believe it is necessary this be done.
6) some to adhere to the fact the gospel must be preached in the Spirit before regeneration can occur. ( I believe this falls back to the commission of the church).

I would agree the Spirit is more capable than any man to proclaim the things; but it is also true the Spirit works through men; This is too much and deters from the topic of feetwashing, so I will go to the other posting.

God Bless you in your walk and service to Him.
Bro. Dallas