Feet Washing.

I never said no such thing and you know it. You are the one who said we were not Baptists

BBob,

 

Show me from Acts where it was practiced.

In order for it to be an Ordinance.. it has to be
1) instituted in the Gospels... (you can argue it was)
2) illustrated in Acts (It wasn't)
3) Explained in the epistles (it wasn't)

Both communion and Baptism fall in all three categories.
But foot washing doesn't

It wasn't illustrated in the early church in the Book of Acts..
If the church would have been doing it, it would have shown up in Acts.

And both Baptism and Communion was explained in the epistles... no where does any epistle tell us how to perform it.

Show from the Bible where women are to wash women, men are to wash men, or that everyone should wash everyone else...

Should the pastor wash everyone's feet.. the way the great pastor washed his church.. or should we all share in the washing...
the disciples didn't wash each others feet, Jesus washed them all... so using his example the pastor should be the one to wash everyone's feet.

Or should the deacons join in... is that part of the qualifications of a deacon? If so, where...

See you have a problem trying to explain the mode of the service... should you wash only members, other Christians, or even the lost... remember Jesus washed Judas' feet.. and he was lost...

Show me from the epistles how to do this.
Show me the mode and requirements from the scriptures on how it should be done, and who should be involved.

It does not meet the qualifications traditional baptists have laid down to call something an ordinance...

Therefore I cannot agree that it is an ordinance....

HOWEVER...

There are a lot of things we do in church that is not an ordinance...
And if it wasn't elevated to the status of communion or Baptism so much, I may not have a problem with it.. but here is really my problem...

Both Baptism and Communion illustrates the Death Burial and Resurrection...Foot washing has none of that in it.. You cannot see the atoning death in footwashing... Therefore it cannot be an ordinance...

Example of servanthood yes.
A illustration of servanthood yes,
But an ordinance, no.

I would put it on the same level as anointing with oil.. some churches do it, but I would not call it an ordinance....

OK, I am going to bed now.. I hope... :laugh:

Bob, you and all others have a good night.. It may be Monday before I can get back on here seriously.. (other than drivebys...) so have fun...

And have a glorious Sunday!

 

Dr. Schaff on Feet-Washing.
In these views we are fully borne out by the eminent Dr. Philip Schaff. In his history of the Christian Church from the Apostles on he has occasion to note the practice of feet-washing. He endeavors to look upon it with the eyes of those early saints, and then testifies as follows: "This washing of feet seems to answer fully the conception of a sacrament. There is the outward and visible sign--the washing of feet; and the promise of salvation connected therewith; and the express command of Christ--"I have given you an example," &c.
In Chambers' Encyclopedia we have the same testimony, also abundantly confirming our conclusions as above stated. [105] Under the word "Washing of feet" it is said: "The origin of this observance is extremely ancient. It is founded on the example and exhortation or precept of our Lord Jesus, John 13:5-14, and is traceable in the writings of Justin, Tertullian, Ambrose and Augustine. The writings of Augustine plainly show that this practice was in use in his day * * * * as a solemn institution of Christ."

The Early Practice of Feet-Washing.
Justin, to whom reference is here made, was born A. D. 89 and died A. D. 176. He is the first author after the Apostles, so far as we now know, in whose writings this subject is mentioned. We have not his words at our command, and so can only state upon the authority of others that he speaks of the washing of feet as a religious rite. From this time on we shall find ample testimony to show its regular observance among the primitive churches. True, at some points it was rejected, as at Rome in the time

1Ti 5:10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

I figure if she washed the saints feet, it was still going on in Acts in church services.

It not up to you where to put it Tim.

BBob,

 

Foot washing was a way of serving people because they had dirty feet due to walking on the dirty roads where animals deposted their manure. I wonder how many people today have feet like that. If they do not then it is not a way of serving people but rather a nonsensical tradition and not serving anyone or any purpose.

 

I would much rather be called a follower of Christ. Jesus was not a Baptist.

 

Jesus never started a church. He served people though.

 

It was when commonly used, but not at the Lord's supper. It was after supper that He washed their feet, I doubt if they all eat with manure on their feet. Also, the Lord said, what I do now, ye know not, but ye shall know hereafter. If it were just to wash their dirty feet, I am sure the apostles had that much sense to know He was washing their dirty feet.
I can see where those who do not practice feetwashing would come up with all kind of excuses, why they don't. It does not matter to me if you wash feet or not, I am saying that we "do".

Also, it was still practiced in 1 Tim: It was an honor to the widow if she had washed the saints feet, not just anyone's. Not only an honor, but a requirement of a widow, in the church. Notice that she had to of washed the saints feet in the church to be considered a true widow.

1Ti 5:10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

BBob,

 

Say what???

BBob,

 

Yes.


1 Timothy 5:
9: Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10: Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

I agree with Tim, it's better not to call it an ordinance (IMO).
Though, if Baptists want to wash feet, why not?

Now, as to the 1 Timothy 5 passage above; It's only stating facts, not establishing feet washing as an ordinance otherwise we would have to make the other things in the passage ordinances "bringing up children", "lodging strangers", etc.

Mostly I agree with MagPole.

To practice the spiritual lesson behind the physical act of feet washing, love one another, forgive one another and serve one another.

His cousin John was.

But yes He is a Baptist, well a baptizer anyway:

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:​

​

HankD

 

1. We do go to the nursing homes, hospitals, funeral homes, private homes and wherever needed. As far as getting a job as an orderly, I am almost 69 years old, with two heart surgeries, two neck artery surgeries, plus a double hernia surgery. I wish I was able to get a job. By the way, do you work as an orderly??

2.We never said in any fashion that we are more humble than you. We only answered the OP, that we still practice the feet washing because the Lord commanded it. You came up with the "more humble than you on your own", I challenge you to show me where anyone said they were more humble than you.

3. You place all your Baptist standing on the distinctives. What did Baptists do before the distinctives were written? Tim, there is a whole Bible to consider. We keep the 8 distinctives, as I understand them, plus we try to keep all that Jesus commanded us to do.

4. I know you apologized for the snakehandling so I will let that pass.

BBob, :jesus:

 

No, the feetwashing was established by Jesus Himself earlier in time, the other things were what Paul said.
The washing of the saints feet was a requirement of the church to qualify the widow as a true widow.

BBob, :jesus:

 

Jesus never planted the church at ________. He reached people for eternity and never established any local church. That came later by his disciples and many by Paul. Jesus never washed anyone's feet within the context of a worship service.

 

I understand what you are saying, but the church was established by Jesus under the Grace covenant and God adds to daily, such as should be saved. Also, the Government is upon His shoulders.

You are right He never established a building that I know of, but He did have His assemblies, where He preached His own everlasting Gospel.

BBob,

 

Acts 9:36-39, "Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, "Do not delay in coming to us." So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them."

Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

In the Gospels Jesus stated that foot washing was an example.

How many feet have you washed outside of the church context? If it is truly a community need and you could serve the people then why do it just in church?

Take the same context of Jesus' day and lower the temperature to -30, then apply washing feet to that context.

 

What is your point, the woman was a disciple, the widows there it is silent about washing feet or not.

What are you saying, Jesus did not go outside of the church. The widow in 1 Tim, when being judged by the church, had to of washed the saints feet. This was long after Jesus had left. What is your point. Jesus never told us to go outside of the church and wash feet, but His example was to do it unto one another. Maybe I lack understanding, but you will have to make it clearer than this for me to know what you are saying.

Peter raised her from the dead. I can not do that, no matter how hard I try.

I do not baptize outside of the church either, except those who confess Christ.

I do not take communion outside of the church either.

How can light walk with darkness.

Jesus and Peter had more power than I have.

Also, a church is not a building but an assembly. In that sense, Jesus did established assemblies, or a church. He told Peter, upon this rock, I build my church.

What is meant by this comment??

BBob,

 

Feet washing is practiced in the surrounding states of KY and WV (even out here in MO), by Baptists, and Penecostals, etc...it's not a "mountain" thing.

Bro Vaughn is writing a book about feet washing which I am currently reading the manuscript. Regardless of how you feel about it, feet washing has been discussed from the very beginnings of church history, whether liked or not, so it's not modern or added on.

David

 

Thanks Brother Bethelassoc; for your input.

I would like to have a copy or Bro Vaughn's book when he has finished. Feet washing can be a very touchy subject, as we see on this thread.

BBob,

 

You stated that it was commanded by Jesus to wash feet. I would claim that Jesus gave an even greater principle and that was to serve. One of the ways one could serve another in that day was to wash the dirt and manure of another's feet. The animals and people walked on the same paths. However you seem to claim that just because Jesus commanded his disciples to wash feet then that we must do it today. If you believe that then explain to us how you would apply it in -30 degree environments. Remember they did not have the adverse weather such as Alaska but rather similar to Yuma, Arizona.
The point is to do whatever would be serving another not just wash feet. Washing feet today in a churhc building is not at all the same as the context of the first century church.

 

Are you saying that you do not worship and serve the same God as Peter? The Christian life is not about how much power I have but about about worshipping and serving the one and only true God bringing him glory. Remember when Paul said that in his weakness he was made strong.