Foot Washing
 

If Jesus himself said to Peter that he would have no part with him if he did not allow him to wash his feet and then tells them that he did this as an example for us to do to others, then how can people think this is optional? I would say that foot washing is like baptism to them that have already been baptized. I'm just curious to know if some of you think you can be right with God and ignore this portion of scripture?


John 13
6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8Peter 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.

15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Re: Foot Washing
 

For me it is about teaching servanthoood and humility. Peter bucked because Lords/ Masters do not stoop to wash servants feet. He is showing Peter there is no ruling class. As you may know foot washing there was common. I personally feel it is not a requirement.

Re: Foot Washing
 

This is interesting.
http://www.anabaptistnetwork.com/node/326

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Then why would Jesus say to do it if it's not required?

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footwashing was common yes...BUT not after a meal...footwashing was done when the person arrived...

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For me the Intent goes deeper than the act itself. A lesson on servant-hood.

"Know ye what I have done to you?"

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It was typically done on New Years eve at the Jesus name church I attended years back. It was called watch night service.

We prayed and washed each other feet, men in one room, women in another, until the new Year. then we met in the sanctuary for communion.

We had typically been fasting before the service, and it was a time of great brokenness and reconcialiation. If anyone in the church had aught against anyone, humbling yourself before them while you prayed for them usually broke any hurt feelings and worked reconciliation.

I have not done this in years, and it's the type of thing that you don't really want to do because feet are yuck. but for some reason God always used it to bring us closer as a church family.

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I think it is a beautiful service and unless we can be humble enough to wash someone's feet we usually will not be humble enough to serve...

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I have never been at a foot washing service. All the churches I have ever attended do not do it...

I wonder what it will be like to partake in one...

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Foot washing was not a ritualized practice in the bible where everyone is speaking in tongues and praising God while giving someone a foot massage.

It was an act of humility. In those days people wore sandels. They walked around on dusty roads and when they entered into a house, if the host was honerable, he would offer them a bowl of water to wash their feet.

Jesus was giving an eastern example of mutual servitude and humility. Unless you run around in sandles all day long on camel infested dirt roads, this meaning might be lost on you. You aren't really washing someone's feet unless they are dirty. You are just getting them wet and drying them off while giving them a foot massage

The intent was we are to serve one another and be humble. The modern foot washing only symbolizes that. It's not a salvific ritual any more than repeating hail Mary's and Our Fathers is.

Re: Foot Washing
 

Would you have a problem washing these feet with your bare hands?



http://www.myspaceantics.com/images/...y-toenails.jpg Hosted by MySpaceAntics.com

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Yes I'll wash your feet :happydance

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puke

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Okay I understand the servant hood for the one washing the feet but it's different for the ones that are getting their feet washed... I'm sorry to hear that it's just a ritual to people but to me after being baptized/cleansed from sin and walking in this dirty world, then I need foot washing services

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did they continue to wash feet in the early church? maybe...don't recall it mentioned. You can't take everything so literal, as a commandment or you get caught up in commandments and law. There has to be an understanding of the principle of servitude and humility Jesus was teaching in these scriptures.

I never did "get" foot washing until I washed homeless women's feet who didn't have the means for pedicures or too elderly to care for their feet. It was a need, and I sobbed the whole time. Humbling, oh yeah. I will never forget it.

I think more than an act mentioned in the bible.. try finding someone who is in need to serve in some capacity. Serve others with a pure heart.

Remember, everything is hung up on only two commandments...Love God and Love others as yourself.

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What?? the power of the blood that cleansed you is not able to keep you? raise your sights a little higher out of this physical realm.

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Go for it bro.

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many of the homeless people do have feet that look like that... at first I couldn't believe it until I realized those disabled on the streets can't really reach their feet to care for them. I tried to cut nails that day, but a few I had to refer to a doctor or clinic,(I didn't have the proper equipment) I explained that medicare/medicaid would pay for them to be properly cared for if they would visit a DR.

Re: Foot Washing
 

having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.
King James Bible
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.

American King James Version
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.

American Standard Version
well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Having testimony for her good works, if she have brought up children, if she have received to harbour, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have ministered to them that suffer tribulation, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Darby Bible Translation
borne witness to in good works, if she have brought up children, if she have exercised hospitality, if she have washed saints' feet, if she have imparted relief to the distressed, if she have diligently followed every good work.

English Revised Version
well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

Webster's Bible Translation
Well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath lodged strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

World English Bible
being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

Young's Literal Translation
in good works being testified to: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if saints' feet she washed, if those in tribulation she relieved, if every good work she followed after;

Re: Foot Washing
 

When I worked at the Leper colony those that had feet I washed them...it was my honor...

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First of all, I think that disgusting image should a link only. Second of all, I think in this day and age, a more practical application would be to wash another's car. It would take longer, be harder work, and would be much more practical. And you wouldn't have to touch another person's personal body parts which I find rather uncomfortable.

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Not to start an argument, but this scripture is what makes me believe that foot washing is not an ordinance. If it was an ordinance in the early church, then why would it be set forth as a requirement for a widow?

IOW, if foot washing was an ordinance, then everyone in the church would have been observing it and so it would not be anything special for a widow to have done it.

Paul could have also said "if she has taken of the Lord's supper..." but that was an ordinance for d church, so a widow partaking in that would not make her exemplary. I hope y'all get my drift...

But if you believe it's literal, God bless you...if you don't believe it's literal, God bless you too...

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I have always enjoyed the results of foot washing services...However I have never been a person to judge. I have friends that believe it is spiritual.
Most people that know me know I am not one to condemn...I had rather build bridges...blessings to all.

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Love you Sis Alvear...

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many blessings to you, my friend.

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Do you think that it is essential or do u just enjoy the results?

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Our church teaches that is goes along with communion. To me it is essential however I am not sitting on a judgment seat condemning others.

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On this subject or any other subject I can only express what I feel however my feelings may not always be correct. We all can be wrong about something. I try to fulfill what I feel God wants me to...however we all are humans and we are all climbers...There is too much hate and evny among the church now...I do not want to be guilty of hurting people...I want to build relationships not destroy them...

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The first church my folks ever attended was a Bread of Life Church...spiritual communion...I will always be thankful for a baby sitter from that church that took us to church. In time God lead my folks to another church that washed feet and took communion. However if it had not been for a little baby sitter I probably would not even know Jesus today let alone be a missionary.

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So are u saying that you believe it's essential but you won't proclaim it just incase your wrong?

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Should the one doing the washing be girded with a towell?


:doggyrun

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If it is about servant-hood, humility, and no ruling class does the mere act impart these qualities? I don't know of any kingdom related function could compare to the missionary field. How could foot-washing stack up to these who are giving all?

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Do you greet your brothers with a kiss? Paul commanded it. If we use good principles of biblical study we understand that this wasa middle eastern custom of greeting. Paul was not making a new commandment for all generations

For me? I need Jesus. He is all I need

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No I am not saying that...I am just saying I want to be merciful to those that see it different and hope to treated likewise...

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We used to do it back in the day, but we stopped due to the size of our church. I would imagine it would be rough to get 400-500 buckets/towels. I don't mind either way. There our other ways to express humility and servant-hood! We still do communion though.

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or maybe she believes that it is biblical doctrine, but she doesn't care to be devisive?

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I believe what I believe however I refuse to become involved in endless debates...

Re: Foot Washing
 

When the announcement was made from the pulpit that we are going to have a foot washing next Sunday did your heart leap within you for joy or did you start making plans to be out of town?

I’m amazed we were able to do away with brethren greeting brethren “with an holy kiss” (2 Cor. 13:12) and somehow we have been able to realize slavery is just wrong even though the bible seems to say it’s OK. Even giving Christians instructions on how to treat your slave’s

Have you ever stopped to think why Jesus washed his disciples feet? Could it be that they just had disgustingly dirty feet.

We learn from Genesis that the people of that day would set aside a place where a guest might wash his feet (Gen. 18:4 , 19:2 , 24:32 , 43:24) they would bring the traveler water. Their guests washed their own feet, much like your overnight guest might use your shower facilities.

I’ve known of churches where foot washing was performed to humble the saints, usually when the pastor thought the saints were getting a bit out of hand (not happy with his ministry) and what could snap them back in line quicker than washing the pastor’s feet.

Stop for a moment and realize it was the Master that washed the feet of the servants, not vice versa. Realize he did this solely for the purpose to teach them to serve others and that the greater should be a servant to the lesser.

To wash their feet was a handy thing to do as there was water available there and because the disciples walked on dirty dusty trails and streets, unless perhaps it had recently rained. Then they would have been walking thru mud. Don’t forget that oxen and mules walked these same paths and it was quite possible to step in some “exhaust pollution” of that days mode of transportation. He washed their feet as a humble act of kindness and service to them because their feet were dirty and it was “customary” 2000 years ago that water basins, towels be provided for your guests to wash their own feet. If you owned a slave you might even have had your slave wash the feet of your guests.

When’s the last time you went to a foot washing and didn’t wash your feet and put on clean socks and a pair of shoes you hoped didn’t produce foot odor before you left home. Seriously my feet aren’t dirty. But my shoes could use a good shining. My car got pretty dirty driving to church, could you wash that for me please.

I shared these thoughts, tongue in cheek, with my pastor a few months ago. Months later as we planned for a good Friday service, we decided to share in a viewing of Mel Gibson’s The Passion and then take communion together. I was happy to say yes when pastor asked if I would want to help in “washing the saints cars” that Friday afternoon before our Good Friday service. So from 1 to 4 pm we washed any ones car who stopped by the church.

That is how car washin’ became a “ritual” at New Life Church , that is if we do it again.

Do we really want to be apostolic in what we do? If we follow Christ’s example we would perform a service to our brother or sister that would actually be of service to them. Remember, the disciples had dirty feet that needed washing. What a wonderful act of kindness the Master blessed them with.

But my feet are clean.

So many today view foot washing as, well , just so weird , even Apostolic’s and when Apostolic’s think something is weird, well that’s just scary.

The term “random acts of kindness” got stuck in my mind from something I read some time ago.
Think how blessed someone will feel when you bestow a “help” (1 Cor. 12:28) upon them. Take your mower and go mow someone’s lawn. Load up your snow blower and go clean out someone’s driveway. Take someone dinner. Watch their kids so they can have a night out and I’m sure you can think of 20 more random acts of kindness (or helps) that you can bestow on someone, that would mean so much more to them than washing their feet, which hopefully in our day and age of indoor plumbing with baths and showers, are already clean.

But you say they can easily cut their own grass or shovel their own snow…. and you’d be right.
I can also wash my own feet.

If we would allow ourselves to think about what was being taught to the disciples when Christ washed their feet ……well I just think we may have missed Christ’s intent on this lesson if we think washing someone’s “clean” feet is what our Lord wanted us to be doing here in America in this century.

I think there is laughter in heaven when Christ looks down at as us Apostolic’s and sees and hears some of the many things we major on. I wonder, will He look at some us when we get to the throne and say, “you spent all your time preaching about WHAT?

I hope that I may see the day that we Apostolic’s might better discern the scriptures and come to a realization that some things were written for doctrinal purpose’s and other’s were just written as a history of things they did in their day and time. Like that Holy Kiss thing. Really brother, I love ya, but a handshake will do me just fine.

Some tell me that is wishful thinking. That most of us made up our minds (or had them made up for us) many years ago. To think that you can challenge Apostolic’s to take a look at the scripture again, or perhaps read a book (gasp) with an open mind and actually think something other than that which was hammered into our minds long ago. Well, I’ve been told I’m just dreaming! I did go “north” of Fifty about four years ago, so I guess that would make me an “old man’, so I am well qualified then to “dream dreams” as stated in Acts 2:17.

So I’ll dream of a church with people who truly love one another and do humble acts of service to others in their demonstration’s of that love. If you stop by my house with a dirty car, I’ll probably wash it for you. Need a ride somewhere, I’ll try to accommodate. Need your house painted? I’d be glad to help.

But really, my feet are clean and hopefully yours too!