Footwashing

"but where did it originate from? Is the first example of it when Jesus washed the disciples feet?"
Actually it's a rather old custom. But never commanded that I've seen.
Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
Sometines just the water was brought & the recipeient washed their own feet, sometimes it was a servant. A persons feet were their main means of travel in Biblical times, so they were well took care of. Thus frequent washing.
In John where Jesus washed the feet He was trying to get the idea across of being willing to serve others.That was the main thought. He never commanded the washing to be followed, but He does insist that we serve, both Him & others.
Baptism & the Lords Supper were commanded to be observed, thus ordinances. Footwashing was given as an example how to treat someone...even to the point of lowering ones self. Nothing wrong with having a footwashing service, but it shoud not be considered a commandment of Christ. Humbling ones self is!

 

Some of the Old Order Anabaptist groups still practice foot washing.

I have been reading a book - "On the Backroad to Heaven" by Donald B. Kraybill and Carl F. Bowman - it surveys the Hutterites, Mennonites, Amish, and Brethren.

Some of those groups practice foot washing. One of the groups - I believe the Old Order Brethren also practice "Holy Kissing."

The men kiss the men -- and the women kiss the women -- on the mouth. I don't think I could handle that!!

 

Here are some of my thoughts.

The act of feet washing was to show the Apostles the need of humble service. The cleansing of the feet to me also represents the cleansing through humble service of the 'dirt' of the earth. The feet being culturally according to the mode of travel at the time in constant contact with the earth, thus the dirt is representative of worldliness.

Some missionary Baptists in this area do practice it but not as an ordinance. I would have no problem worshipping where it is practiced.

Just some thoughts I have on the subject.

God Bless.
Bro. Dallas

 

"The men kiss the men -- and the women kiss the women -- on the mouth."
UGH!!! They need to study the culture some. Unless I'm wrong, (that happens once in a while) the Holy Kiss is a kiss on the cheek...which has been a greeting in middle eastern areas for centuries. I think we swapped it out for a good ole' fashioned hug.

 

I have been in a Mennonite church that practices the Holy Kiss. To me it is beautiful to see brothers and sisters show each other love this way. I also visited a Primitive Baptist church where the men were practicing the Holy Kiss as well.

I have also lived in Spain where they retain a form of the Holy Kiss. There men kiss women, women kiss women, but rarely men kiss men. I tried to get out of kissing other men.

 

HCL, you don't see anything unethical about this, especially in our day and age?

If a visitor walked in, he might think it was a religious swingers group.

I would have quite the surprise for any guy that tried that little trick with me or my wife.

Have I ever mentioned my collection of various blades, knives, and swords?

As to the original post, some people believe Jesus was establishing an ordinance in John 13. I personally have no problem with the practice. I do not believe it to be an ordinance though.

 

Daniel,
I am not sure you read my post carefully. Because I said the Mennonite and Primitive churches kissed only those of their own gender.

It was the Spaniards who kiss their own and the opposite. And yes, I do see something wrong with men kissing women who are no their wives. When I lived in Spain I tried to avoid touching any man besides my own husband.

 

Uh-oh! I often give my mother, mother-in-law, and even close friends of both my wife and I a little kiss on the cheek...nothing at all sexual about that!

 

I grew up in a Free Will Baptist church, and have been in many foot washing services. It was not an ordinance, but a voluntary expression of humility and service. Men washed men's feet, and women washed womens', and on opposite sides of the church. A foot washing service can be a very moving, loving experience.

 

I am sure this is not what Jesus meant when He washed Peter's feet

 

I was involved in one footwashing service in my life and it was one of the most humbling experiences of my christian life. One of times when you just had to be there.

In Christ

Ronnie

 

I have been in them. To elevate it to a level equal to baptism and Lord's Supper is not good.

 

Across the street from here is a Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee, which washes feet also as far as I know. They are good people.

 

Notice that Jesus also washed the feet of Judas.

The People's New Testament says Christ gave an example, not a church ordinance. It is our duty to follow the example and render the same kind of service to fellow Christians. To make his example a ceremonial and follow it literally would be to lose its spirit. Note the fact that not once else where is it referred to in the New Testament as a church ordinance, and only once mentioned at all. In 1 Tim. 5:10, it is named as a mark of a godly widow. Nor is there any mention of it as a church ordinance until the fourth century. The lesson is that he who would be greatest must be always ready to serve others in a spirit of humility and self-sacrifice.

My understanding is: Foot washing was performed by a servant when guests arrived in your home. The guests had walked on dusty streets in sandals and this was much like us offering to take the coat and hat of a visitor. The least of the servants were reserved for this task.

I believe, in my humble opinion, that Christ Jesus used this as an example of the attitude we should have toward each other, not as something that physically needed to be done as a ritual. Again, that is MY understanding when I read the scripture.


Diane

 

I have heard of foot washings. I was in a camp meeting where the moderator asked all MEN OF GOD that was in the heat of a battle to come to the front and line up, then asked the other MEN OF GOD to take their COAT and wipe the shoes of the ones going thru a battle. It was a humbling experience. I don't think there was a dry eye in the tabernacle. Men were weeping as if their heart was breaking..
Sam