Does your church do this?

[Forest]

John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10Jesus 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. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12So 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? 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

Should your church do this?

[JimfromOhio]

Yep... my church does during the threefold communion service, consisting of the washing of the saints' feet (John 13:1-17), the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20-22, 33-34; Jude 12), and the communion of the bread and the cup (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The footwashing, reminds us of our need for daily cleansing from sin. It's a time of introspection and self-examination. Jesus wants us to remember that even though believers have been forgiven for all sin--past, present, and future--we must appropriate His cleansing power and forgiveness on a daily basis.

Theologians call it "present, progressive, sanctification." "Present" means it's happening now. "Progressive" means it will continue throughout our lives on earth. "Sanctification" is the process by which Christ sets us apart for the special treatment of being transformed into His likeness (Romans 8:29). Washing feet as a symbol of present progressive sanctification wasn't something thought of by the Church of the Apostles. It's something Jesus asked us to do. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet" (John 13:14).

When Jesus washed His disciples' feet, He gave an example. It was an example to be followed in practice, not merely known (John 13:12-17). There's more to this symbol than first appears.

[Forest]

Then you see it as a comandment? (John 13:14)

[JimfromOhio]

Then you see it as a comandment? (John 13:14)

Jesus is my Lord, my Master and my Friend. We do this because Jesus set an example because He simply did it. We don't view this as a commandment. It's something Jesus asked us to do, in my view that Jesus STRONGLY encourage us when He said: "ye also ought to wash one another's feet."

At my church, we found this is much more than cleansing from sin. Men go to one side of the church and women to to the other side of the church. We bond with others by praying, washing each other's feet and basically have a group prayer. Its very bonding and we are able to open up one another emotionally and spiritually. Its really amazing how "feet washing" can actually affect my spiritual life. After the feetwashing, we (men and women) get back together to have a "feast" (Lord's Supper) before having the Bread and Cup.

[PapaLandShark]

That's quite beautiful Jim. Thanks for sharing. :hug:

[The Lord is my banner]

I think it's a lovely idea but, but...

I'm not being squeamish - I have washed feet, (and worse!) when I was a nurse, as a service to those to ill to take care of themselves, but this feels a bit too intimate; to do it for a healthy brother or sister in church for some reason.
Or to let them do it for me! :eek:

Do I have a cultural taboo, or am I just weird? :scratch:

Oh, and another thought; my yet-to-be-saved husband would have another reason not to go anywehere near a church - he's terribly ticklish!

God bless, love Susana

[PapaLandShark]

I think it's a lovely idea but, but...

I'm not being squeamish - I have washed feet, (and worse!) when I was a nurse, as a service to those to ill to take care of themselves, but this feels a bit too intimate; to do it for a healthy brother or sister in church for some reason.
Or to let them do it for me! :eek:

Do I have a cultural taboo, or am I just weird? :scratch:

Oh, and another thought; my yet-to-be-saved husband would have another reason not to go anywehere near a church - he's terribly ticklish!

God bless, love Susana

lol...I'm extremely ticklish and only in my feet. I think all of us would feel a little weird with this at first but the concept is lovely. I'd be willing to try if only because my Saviour thought it was a good idea. No promises about accidently kicking someone or falling over in a fit of giggles though. :)

[kingzjewel]

my old 7th day adventist church did this. it was seen as a way to show your service to another, as Jesus was showing how He was a servant to his people. it's a humbling process. i do this myself for my husband as a sign of respect, submission, and service to him. i think it's an awesome way to gain humility and reestablish the bond between saints, but i am a little too eeked out by washing other people's feet. you have no idea what is under those white sock *ick* and people touching my feet is so not what i call a day of fun.

but biblically, yes i believe we should practise this...even tho it makes a lot of us want to wretch. just think, our feet are cleaner than theirs were. we have suitable shoes.

[Isidore_AK]

On Holy Thursday the priest reenacts this event by washing the feet of twelve parishoners (or clergy if available).

[Isidore_AK]

On Holy Thursday the priest reenacts this event by washing the feet of twelve parishoners (or clergy if available).

Sorry! I just realized this was the non-denom forum...see what using the 'latest' tab gets you...

[Eusebios]

When my wife and I were Church of The Brethren members, we did this. It was a very beautiful and moving experience.
In Xp,
Eusebios.
:bow:

[revrobor]

John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10Jesus 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. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12So 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? 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

Should your church do this?


Another example of churches turning a practical practice and an allegorical statement into a Christian habit.

In Jesus day people wore sandles without sox and it was the custom when they entered a home to wash their feet after walking on the dirt roads. In verse 14 he's telling us to have a servants heart.

It is not necessary to wash our feet when we enter a home today (I'm assuming most of you wear shoes and sox and walk on asphalt or concrete) and, spiritually, nothing is gained by the foot washing ceremony practiced by some churches. Just more of man's idea of how to be more spiritual and get closer to God.

[Harlan Norris]

Well my church doesn't. I think that this is a reminder not to think to highly of ourselves. I think it means that whoever we are we should be willing to serve one another, as Jesus served his deciples.

[Forest]

Another example of churches turning a practical practice and an allegorical statement into a Christian habit.

In Jesus day people wore sandles without sox and it was the custom when they entered a home to wash their feet after walking on the dirt roads. In verse 14 he's telling us to have a servants heart.

It is not necessary to wash our feet when we enter a home today (I'm assuming most of you wear shoes and sox and walk on asphalt or concrete) and, spiritually, nothing is gained by the foot washing ceremony practiced by some churches. Just more of man's idea of how to be more spiritual and get closer to God.

How can it be "just man's idea"...

john 13:14

[revrobor]

How can it be "just man's idea"...

John 13:14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

Re-read what I said about verse 14. Jesus didn't mean we were to literally wash feet.

[Forest]

It's An Allegory

I'm not so sure it is an allegory.

You may be right because of what follows after the 14th verse, but if it is an allegory, then was Paul speaking firguratively about widows too...

1 Timothy 5:9-11 9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. 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.

It doesn't seem to me that Paul was speaking figuratively. If it is figurative then it would be the only figurative "item" in the list Paul wrote.

What do you think?

[repoland2]

Then you see it as a comandment? (John 13:14)

The LOVE that the Lord has for us, compels us to sacrifice for our friends and loved ones. It's not a commandment, but a suggestion of expression of love for those in your life.

If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, and over pouring with God's love, then you'll find that you will WANT to figuratively 'wash another's feet'.

I would personally be SO very HONORED and BLESSED to wash Jesus' feet. Talk about becoming humble...

[Jimmy West]

Jesus is my Lord, my Master and my Friend. We do this because Jesus set an example because He simply did it. We don't view this as a commandment. It's something Jesus asked us to do, in my view that Jesus STRONGLY encourage us when He said: "ye also ought to wash one another's feet."

At my church, we found this is much more than cleansing from sin. Men go to one side of the church and women to to the other side of the church. We bond with others by praying, washing each other's feet and basically have a group prayer. Its very bonding and we are able to open up one another emotionally and spiritually. Its really amazing how "feet washing" can actually affect my spiritual life. After the feetwashing, we (men and women) get back together to have a "feast" (Lord's Supper) before having the Bread and Cup.

The "Washing of Feet" was symbolic and not meant to be taken literally. It is symbolic of living to be a blessing to your brothers and sisters, that you will put their needs above yours when their needs arer evident. It was meant to tell you that we should all help each other as a family does.

[Forest]

The "Washing of Feet" was symbolic and not meant to be taken literally. It is symbolic of living to be a blessing to your brothers and sisters, that you will put their needs above yours when their needs arer evident. It was meant to tell you that we should all help each other as a family does.

If it is symbolic, then what do you think about...(see post #16)

[revrobor]

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I'm not so sure it is an allegory.

You may be right because of what follows after the 14th verse, but if it is an allegory, then was Paul speaking firguratively about widows too...

1 Timothy 5:9-11 9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. 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.

It doesn't seem to me that Paul was speaking figuratively. If it is figurative then it would be the only figurative "item" in the list Paul wrote.

What do you think?

There was both a practical washing of feet (as has already been explained) and an allegorical washing of feet (developing a servant's heart). Paul is talking about the PRACTICAL application which was the custom of the day (as has already been explained).

[JimfromOhio]

Re-read what I said about verse 14. Jesus didn't mean we were to literally wash feet.

From what I have learned over the years from reading the New Testament. The first "church meetings" were at Christians' homes and the method of worshipping were very basic. I agree, today and for hundreds of years, many of the church services are primary man-created.

At Church, we are literally to WORSHIP God. We are the body and bride of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-32), composed of all true believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-13); for worship, for edification of believers, and for world wide gospel witness, cooperating in fellowship and work (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Ordinances
1. Baptism
2. Lord's Supper (Bread and Cup)
3. Washing of the saints' feet

[Asaph]

I wash my brethrens feet when I affirm my love for them.

But my brothers are not afraid to go places that will dirty their feet in the first place.

Asaph