Foot washing: an ordinance?

[Deacon]

Some churches include foot washing (such as described in John 13) as an ordinance, (like baptism and communion).

What do you think? Should it be one?

 

[KenH]

No. The only ordinances are believer's immersion and the Lord's Supper.

Foot washing was an example of believers loving one another.

Besides, I think most people, except maybe someone living on the street, wash their feet before attending services.

 

[Hutch]

I could see it if we lived in the desert and everyone wore sandals.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Some churches include foot washing (such as described in John 13) as an ordinance, (like baptism and communion).

What do you think? Should it be one?

Yes

 

[Deacon]

Why wouldn't each person wash their own feet?

I've only see it (and participated in it) in church once.

Ands it seemed to me that the people getting their feet washed were just as disturbed as the disciples were when their feet were washed.

Personally with my own history of doing bedside nursing (long ago), washing feet wasn't something I hadn't done before.

To perform foot washing is a personal act of humble, caring service.

To receive foot washing almost seems arrogant.

Rob

 

[Salty]

To perform foot washing is a personal act of humble, caring service.

and that might just be the reason we should do so!
However, I do not believe it is an ordinance.

 

[JonC]

Why wouldn't each person wash their own feet?

I've only see it (and participated in it) in church once.

Ands it seemed to me that the people getting their feet washed were just as disturbed as the disciples were when their feet were washed.

Personally with my own history of doing bedside nursing (long ago), washing feet wasn't something I hadn't done before.

To perform foot washing is a personal act of humble, caring service.

To receive foot washing almost seems arrogant.

Rob

It isn't about receiving the foot washing (that was Peter's thought, though, that he was not worthy to have Jesus wash his feet).

For me, I do not object to churches having it as an ordinance. But it would make me uncomfortable to have my feet washed (by anybody other than me in my weekly shower).

 

[Salty]

But it would make me uncomfortable to have my feet washed (by anybody other than me in my weekly shower).

well, when you come to visit my house - that is mandatory b4 walking in my house.
(Mrs. Salty does not allow shoes in the house)

 

[JonC]

well, when you come to visit my house - that is mandatory b4 walking in my house.
(Mrs. Salty does not allow shoes in the house)

Mrs. Salty has not seen my feet. She will ask me to put my shoes back on.

 

[Dave G]

Some churches include foot washing (such as described in John 13) as an ordinance, (like baptism and communion).

What do you think? Should it be one?

Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances, while foot washing is but one of many examples of humble servitude that the Lord gave to His people to emulate, especially in Spirit and in principle.

So, no.

 

[37818]

It wasn't in Matthew's, Mark's or Luke's gospel accounts. And John's gospel account presents Jesus' washing His disciples feet in feet washing was well after the remembrance.

@kyredneck, Acknowledged.

 

[kyredneck]

It's FEET washing. There's TWO of them

John Chapter 13

14​	If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another`s feet.

Matthew Chapter 23

23​	Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.

1st John Chapter 4

11​	Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

3rd John Chapter 1

8​	We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.