Washing Feet

[PreachTony]

4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
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.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Foot-washing, or feet-washing, is a service that some churches stress as an ordinance laid out by Christ Himself and others view as a recommendation, but not a requirement of the faith.

Personally, I think it is something that every Christian ought to partake in. So I'm curious what your church does in terms of foot-washing.

Also, a question: If a member of your congregation chose, for whatever reason, to not take part in washing feet, do you believe they should also not take of the bread and the wine?

Some churches do this, and some do not. I was just curious the thoughts of the BB on this? A few years ago I had bought a new pair of shoes just before the communion and footwashing service, and they wore a nasty blister on my foot (ick!). For that reason, I chose to abstain from footwashing, though I felt no compulsion to not take of the wine and bread.

 

[JamesL]

Foot washing was contemporaneous with biblical times. People wore sandals, walked everywhere on dirt, and had filthy feet when they showed up - especially if it was raining outside.

The washing of feet wasn't an ordinance being instituted, it was simply a menial task performed by the lowest in a household. And that was Jesus' point.

Didn't He say whoever is faithful in little things would be trusted with greater things? That is the entire thrust of the foot washing. Don't be too proud to be the servant in s thankless, menial task

As usual, people get hung up on the "thing" and lose all sight of the issue behind the thing.

 

[tyndale1946]

Foot-washing, or feet-washing, is a service that some churches stress as an ordinance laid out by Christ Himself and others view as a recommendation, but not a requirement of the faith.

Personally, I think it is something that every Christian ought to partake in. So I'm curious what your church does in terms of foot-washing.

Also, a question: If a member of your congregation chose, for whatever reason, to not take part in washing feet, do you believe they should also not take of the bread and the wine?

Some churches do this, and some do not. I was just curious the thoughts of the BB on this? A few years ago I had bought a new pair of shoes just before the communion and footwashing service, and they wore a nasty blister on my foot (ick!). For that reason, I chose to abstain from footwashing, though I felt no compulsion to not take of the wine and bread.

I feel you are to hard on yourself my Brother!... Communion is what Jesus did for us... Do this in remeberence of me!... Feet-washing is the example he set for us to do for each other... Ye ought to wash each others feet!... You showed concern for your brethren in not washing feet by your afflicition
Your Christian character is shown in both examples you took in each situation... imho!... Brother Glen

 

[Jerome]

But aren't filthy feet part of the culture in these hollers or what have you? Perhaps that is why the folks resurrected the literal practice and find it oh so meaningful.

 

[salzer mtn]

a Lot of the Baptist bride churches practice foot washing and consider it an ordinance. I have noticed at the foot washing communion service there is more said on foot washing than the cup and bread. The ones I know take communion, foot washing once a year in the month of May. After the communion, foot washing anyone can testify if they want too. I told them one time when I attended, the scripture say's FOR AS OFTEN as you eat this bread, and drink this cup ye do shew the Lords death till He come. I told them there custom of once a year was not biblical.

 

[InTheLight]

JamesL, best concise reason why foot washing is not an ordinance I've ever read. Well done.

 

[tyndale1946]

Foot washing was contemporaneous with biblical times. People wore sandals, walked everywhere on dirt, and had filthy feet when they showed up - especially if it was raining outside.

The washing of feet wasn't an ordinance being instituted, it was simply a menial task performed by the lowest in a household. And that was Jesus' point.

Didn't He say whoever is faithful in little things would be trusted with greater things? That is the entire thrust of the foot washing. Don't be too proud to be the servant in s thankless, menial task

As usual, people get hung up on the "thing" and lose all sight of the issue behind the thing.

I wash feet!... Unfortunately you only see the surface but of those who like me can testify it is spiritually deeper than you can imagine!... Seems to me you are questioning the one who set the example?

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... Brother Glen

 

[tyndale1946]

JamesL, best concise reason why foot washing is not an ordinance I've ever read. Well done.

Who said it was an ordinance?... It is separate from communion!... Who ever told you its an ordinance is wrong!... Communion is what Jesus did for us... Do this in remeberence of me!... Feet-washing is the example he set for us to do for each other!... 4 He riseth from supper!... Foot washing starts after supper!... I and other brethren wash feet and now I understand why you other brethren misunderstand it!... Brother Glen

 

[PreachTony]

But aren't filthy feet part of the culture in these hollers or what have you? Perhaps that is why the folks resurrected the literal practice and find it oh so meaningful.

Yes, Jerome, and once we all finish marrying our cousins and sisters, and once we get the snakes all rounded up and put back in the baskets, we may finally get around to buying shoes for everyone.

 

[PreachTony]

I wash feet!... Unfortunately you only see the surface but of those who like me can testify it is spiritually deeper than you can imagine!... Seems to me you are questioning the one who set the example?

Exactly. I find the foot-washing service to be one of the most humbling, Spirit-filled services of the year. I also find that those who rarely, if ever, partake in it, tend to either marginalize it, or downright mock it.

 

[JamesL]

JamesL, best concise reason why foot washing is not an ordinance I've ever read. Well done.

thanks, brother.

I wash feet!... Unfortunately you only see the surface but of those who like me can testify it is spiritually deeper than you can imagine!... Seems to me you are questioning the one who set the example?

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... Brother Glen

Brother, it might be beneficial to read Luke 7:37-50 also.

Especially verse 44
You gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with tears

It was simply a custom. If there was a servant, washing feet of guests was part of the job. If no servant, guest would wash his own feet.

In John 13, He was simply conveying how we ought not think ourselves too highly. Don't be too proud to perform the lowliest of service for your brothers.

What is the most menial task in our day? That is washing feet. Not the thing, but the mindset. The humility. The service.

Once, at my son's (Christian) school, i drove into the rear parking lot to find an absolute mess where the kids had a confetti party/picnic, etc.

There is a maintenance guy there, whose job it probably was to clean that up. But it was real late in the day, and i thought maybe it was simply overlooked.

So i spent about 15 minutes cleaning it up. Just because. Didn't think anybody would even notice. That's foot washing today.

Taking that lowly task and simply doing it. For each other. Just because.

 

[PreachTony]

What is the most menial task in our day? That is washing feet. Not the thing, but the mindset. The humility. The service.

Once, at my son's (Christian) school, i drove into the rear parking lot to find an absolute mess where the kids had a confetti party/picnic, etc.

There is a maintenance guy there, whose job it probably was to clean that up. But it was real late in the day, and i thought maybe it was simply overlooked.

So i spent about 15 minutes cleaning it up. Just because. Didn't think anybody would even notice. That's foot washing today.

Taking that lowly task and simply doing it. For each other. Just because.

I have to disagree, James. There is an intimacy in service when it comes to washing feet. That intimacy disappears when you relegate and equate "foot-washing" with "the most menial task in our day." The humility and self-abasement that comes with washing feet isn't the same as what comes from cleaning up someone else's mess.

Jesus did this as an example. I don't read of Him going and cleaning up a stable as an example. Should we do these tasks to help those around us? Sure, and I believe God will bless us for it. But there is a closeness of service in foot-washing that these other tasks cannot replicate. If we will recognize that, and know the reason for the example, then we will be happy in knowing and doing.

 

[tyndale1946]

Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

I think it would be more beneficial if you read Luke 7:37-39!... When we wash feet we think of the Lord and what we are by nature and what he did for us. That is the "WHY" of why we wash feet!... No one is above his brother we are all equal!... We completely understand this and that is the reason we wash feet and you don't!... btw... Does the woman in the scripture mentioned washing the Lords feet with her tears and drying them with her hair doing a menial task of humility?... Brother Glen

 

[JamesL]

I have to disagree, James. There is an intimacy in service when it comes to washing feet. That intimacy disappears when you relegate and equate "foot-washing" with "the most menial task in our day." The humility and self-abasement that comes with washing feet isn't the same as what comes from cleaning up someone else's mess.

Jesus did this as an example.....

You seem to be saying "until you experience it, you gave no idea..."

But isn't that the way Pentecostals attempt to defend their supposed speaking in tongues?

Where is there any biblical evidence that Jesus wanted us to view it as an "intimate" moment?

 

[JamesL]

.... We completely understand this and that is the reason we wash feet and you don't!...

Uhhh....ok?

btw... Does the woman in the scripture mentioned washing the Lords feet with her tears and drying them with her hair doing a menial task of humility?... Brother Glen

Yes, it was a menial task, as evidenced by the fact that Simon didn't even give Jesus water to wash his own feet - a very common occurance at the time.

The woman recognized Jesus, and decided to lavishly express herself toward Him, an expression of her faith and gratitude.

At the end, Jesus told her that her faith saved her. Do you get saved all over again when you wash somebody's feet?

 

[Revmitchell]

Footwashing is definitely intimate. It is also an humbling experience. Neither of those aspects are directly mentioned in scripture but we can reasonably glean from what we know about doing it, the intent behind it.


With that said I do not see it as an ordinance of the church, I have never taken part in it nor do I have plans too.


I do not believe we need to see the TBN charismatic boogy man under every thing we disagree with.

 

[righteousdude2]

Foot washing was contemporaneous with biblical times. People wore sandals, walked everywhere on dirt, and had filthy feet when they showed up - especially if it was raining outside.

The washing of feet wasn't an ordinance being instituted, it was simply a menial task performed by the lowest in a household. And that was Jesus' point.

Didn't He say whoever is faithful in little things would be trusted with greater things? That is the entire thrust of the foot washing. Don't be too proud to be the servant in s thankless, menial task

As usual, people get hung up on the "thing" and lose all sight of the issue behind the thing.

There can be nothing more humbling, when washing feet in the spirit of His teachings, then washing the feet of another! It is true servanthood! raying:

 

[JamesL]

I do not believe we need to see the TBN charismatic boogy man under every thing we disagree with.

? TBN?

I don't get it. Could you explain what you're talking about?

 

[tyndale1946]

Uhhh....ok?

Yes, it was a menial task, as evidenced by the fact that Simon didn't even give Jesus water to wash his own feet - a very common occurance at the time.

The woman recognized Jesus, and decided to lavishly express herself toward Him, an expression of her faith and gratitude.

At the end, Jesus told her that her faith saved her. Do you get saved all over again when you wash somebody's feet?

I will highlight the points to explain further "WHY" we wash feet!

Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

We were sinners and still are by nature but the Lord laid down his life for us... We do not wash feet to get saved but because we are saved!... And are spiritually thanking the Lord every time we wash our brothers feet!... Brother Glen

 

[JamesL]

I will highlight the points to explain further "WHY" we wash feet!

Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

We were sinners and still are by nature but the Lord laid down his life for us... We do not wash feet to get saved but because we are saved!... And are spiritually thanking the Lord every time we wash our brothers feet!... Brother Glen

That's downright disingenuous, and you know it. You don't wash feet for any reason other than you believe Jesus told you to do it.

HE washed feet and said to follow His example. Do you think He was a sinner?

You're hung up on the thing. I'm the one whe mentioned that woman, not you. You were content staying in the commandment mentality up til then