Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observation
 

So, I visited a church last night that holds their Lord's Supper and Foot Washing Service on the Wednesday night before Easter every year. It's an Independent Pentecostal Church, Trinitarian, but very good people. If you didn't know, you would think you were in any very conservative Assembly of God or Church of God church.

So now you know the scene. There were probably about 400 people there, give or take a couple. The service was beautiful, some moving drama added in, awesome music. They did, as I was brought up, really push in the beginning Paul's admonishment to self examine and make sure you should take of the Lord's Supper before doing so unworthily. A time of invitation was offered, many came to the altar, was really moving.

Then we started the Lord's Supper. One of the reasons I always go, is they really do it respectfully, seriously, and deliberate. It's a special thing to them and anyone that attends. I would assume, from how many in my general area that took of the elements, that the majority of people took part in communion. When the pastor talked about the broken bread, you could hear the wafers crack like thunder, so I'd say almost everyone took part.

However, the second part of the service is dividing up, men and women, into the foot washing. For this church, they preach it's just as important.

Only maybe 100 people took part in that though.... there were even people who wanted to watch, but not take part.

So I left being somewhat confused. Almost 400 people want to take part in Christ's humility and servanthood to go to the cross for their sins.... but when it comes down to remembering our servanthood and humility to one another, only about 1/4 of those folks take part.

This just left me dumbfounded.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Some people think that feet are gross. Some are embarassed. Some don't like strangers touching their feet (too intimate). Some have foot or toenail fungus and don't want anyone to know. lol

Please understand, foot washing was customary in Christ's day when a guest arrived at your home because of their travels. It's not that customary today. Taking your coat and serving food to guests is about the same culturally today. I don't believe foot washing is a sacrament. Jesus used it as an example of humility and service. Think of it like this... some folks will wash your feet at a foot washing service... but never invite you to their home for fellowship or help you out if your car dies in the church parking lot.

Not to mention, a wafer and a thimble of grape juice isn't "the Lord's Supper". It's a Catholic tradition. The Lord's Supper is actually a full meal enjoyed among believers as a time of fellowship within the body. The bread is broken at the end of the meal (as Jesus broke bread after the meal). The wine (or grape juice) is partaken of after the meal also. The Lord's Supper is obviously best observed in a banquet hall or a small house church gathering.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

You know, there was a time on AFF where you would be hounded for attending a trinitarian church.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I'm aware of that... and hounded by it by some of my conservative acquaintances who consider me a liberal... yes, there are circles that I'm considered very liberal.

I minister in Trinitarian churches, especially when we do our leadership workshops, so I figure if I am willing to preach in them (and they know I'm Apostolic), then I don't mind attending one when I couldn't find any Apostolic church doing a Communion and Foot Washing last night. LOL.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Aquila is right about people having different reasons. When we belonged to the ultra con UPC church I took communion and then when I realized that they planned to do foot washing I skipped out. Why? Well... it was a standard that women wear hose and I was barefoot in my shoes under my ankle length skirt... and had the prettiest pedicure with pink polish and little flowers painted on my toes... A MORTAL SIN! So I got gone before anyone could see my feet and worry that my communion wafer would burn me to dust from the inside out. :D

Don't judge others Bro. Robinson, it's not good for your spirit.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Robbins is the name.....

And no judging going on here.... just don't understand why someone would take of the cup and bread and not the humiliation and service portion of the service.... (SIDEBAR: the Bible doesn't condemn judging, but puts parameters on what is Biblical Judging and what isn't, but that's a sidebar and not part of this thread.)

The very reasons that so many say why they don't do it, is why I do. I am a very, very private man... love my own personal space... don't want to touch anyone else, and don't want them touching me. I've lived alone for 17 years because I like my space... I cherish it.

So I make myself take part in Foot Washing Service when I have the opportunity so that my flesh can take the good beating it deserves and I can be put in that place of service, humility and even humiliation that we should be in not only for the Kingdom but also toward one another.

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QUOTE=Titus2woman;1152633]...I was barefoot in my shoes under my ankle length skirt... and had the prettiest pedicure with pink polish and little flowers painted on my toes... A MORTAL SIN![/QUOTE]

:faint
:heeheehee


QUOTE=Titus2woman;1152633]So I got gone before anyone could see my feet and worry that my communion wafer would burn me to dust from the inside out. :D
[/QUOTE]

:spit

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

What I love about foot washing service... probably most of all... besides it putting me in my place and reminding me I'm not everything I think I am, is how it levels the playing field of servanthood.

In the churches I've always been in over the years, ministry; especially pastors and bishops are elevated. And in many rights, that's how it should be. But sometimes there can be an assumption by the nice suits, flashy cars, sitting on the platform, knowledge of the Word, etc that there is a huge gulf between us (laity) and them (the ministry).

But when all the men go off into a room for footwashing, and every man washes every man's feet or at least just about do... it is overwhelming to me.

A few years ago, I worked for a Pastor that so many held in high esteem. He truly is a great man of God, also been financially successful in business, has a nice home, etc. He's so smart, witty, a man of prayer, and just someone so many admire.

We had foot washing service, and all the men gathered. As we began to wash and pray over one another... many lined up to wash his feet... and he washed theirs as well.

But then I saw him go over to one of our project boys... a child that many in our church overlooked, had no use for, and thought the money used to reach out to was a waste.

And I saw that Bishop get on his feet, untie those dirty tennis shoes of that little black boy, and wash his feet and pray for him. And then look up at the little boy and explain to him that he wanted him to remember the whole purpose that he (my bishop) was on this earth was to love him (the little project boy) and show him the Love of Christ.

I can't tell you how that moved me and others that night....

That's why I NEED to attend footwashing services.... my flesh and ego need to be reminded who I belong to and serve.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Then that is good for you. I wash full humans all the time... even the cracks and crevices... and I've washed them alive and dead. I do not need to wash someones pantyhose clad feet to feel humble. I actually think it's kinda dumb (no offense intended to anyone who believes it important). I would think that a more humbling experience for someone who really enjoys personal space would be to invite some unlovely people into your home and cook them a meal and serve it on a regualr basis, or open your home to someone who has none, or go hold a dying drug addicted baby who has no one to love it while it passes.

This is one of my (admittedly many) gripes with organized religion... we have turned what was everyday life in Bible times, like washing the dust off of a travelers feet (after they had trod miles in the desert in sandals) and annointing their cracked bruised feet with oil for healing... Into a ritual done in a controlled enviornment, namely the 'church' and then we see ourselves as 'holy' for participating. And worse then that we see those who don't participate in a negative way. I feel the same way about communion in the way it is served as a sacrament... Better to get together with friends who are believers and remember the goodness of the Lord and His sacrifice and break a fresh loaf of hot crusty bread and have a glass of wine in His name and to His Honor.

Deep and sincere apologies for getting your name wrong. It is one of my biggest frustrations that I am not good with names. Quite embarrasing.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

:highfive I couldn't agree more!!

I had a couple from church help me when my battery died in my car - - they took me to get the new battery, the husband installed it and I took them to dinner for helping me.

It meant so much to me that they gave up their Friday night to help me. It was humbling for me to allow someone to help me.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I suppose people are all just wired differently. Having someone in my home, or helping them with a car battery, or going into someone's house that is sick and cleaning their house, etc is a ton easier for me than participating in foot washing service. I agree a person should do those things, but for me, it's a whole lot easier to do those types of things you all describe than it is for me to be a foot washing service participant.

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That's because it's not all as culturally significant today as it was in Christ's day. Christ's point was that we are called to serve. Serving others is the point. Not a ceremonial foot washing.

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This would be in a stark contrast to the example that Jesus set when he washed the disciples feet. Judas, who had not yet given into temptation was also present. Jesus, knowing all things, was about to wash his enemies feet. John Chapters 13-17 focuses on love - it is mentioned 31 times. I don't think any of it is dumb.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I would love someone to tell me how the above story is just a ceremony, and it's someone serving another in the love of Christ.

This act in this "ceremony" that night has changed how I view people and even treat people and participate in outreach... believe me, it meant something in regards to servanthood.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Foot washing was practical, the point was that people walked for miles in dust and dirt and camel dung in sandels. Washing feet was something that was usually done by servants or slaves or by the lowest members of the household. Christ's example was servanthood and letting nothing be beneath you in serving your fellow man in love.

Taking someone's very clean, pantyhose-clad feet from their brand new Easter shoes and washing them during a church service does not (to me) represent servanthood. There are one million and one ways to exhibit a servant's heart and we should be looking for those practical ways IMO. Never being satisfied with only cerimonial things. Standing on ceremony and missing the practical was something Jesus definitely taught against in His time. Now taking His actions while on earth and turning them into rote, I believe would not be any more pleasing to God.

As far as that little black boy Bro. Robbins discusses above... The people who resented him do not reflect Christ at all... and they can wash feet daily until Jesus comes back and will still not get it. To me a better example of servanthood would be to buy the 'poor little black boy with dirty tennis shoes' a nice outfit and some new shoes for church so that he could fit in with everyone else and not be refered to as a "project boy". Lord God help us when we have 'project people' who are simply included so that we can feel as if we are 'reaching down'.

I do not deny that maybe for some people this tradition is helpful in some way for their Christian growth... I simply wonder if we don't replace real life with traditions more often then we should. This is not to say that rememberance is a bad thing but it should be kept in it's proper place and not used to judge those who do not participate.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I'm pretty sure that the almighty God who can see everything in the future to come, says what he means.

I hate how we get this idea that we are meant to read into everything and not actually read it.

Like old artists, everyone stares at the paintings and wonders why they done this what turmoil in their life made them do that. Maybe they just wanted to paint a vase? Or they thought that a tree looked pretty and wanted to paint it...

So by what most are saying god was saying...
"Greet in whatever way is customary at the time."

In rural mongolia the cultural norm is to exchange pipes as a greeting. I doubt god would want us doing that and I doubt thats very humbling.

(Unless these pipes are extremely expensive or something)

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Excellent post

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Dalton is campaigning to bring back the holy kiss!

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Abigail in 1Samuel 25:41 also humbled herself to David - "...behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord;"

You were admonishing Bro. Robbins:

But, you judged people when you said:

I believe I would take some excellent Bible examples regarding humility and servanthood over an emotional appeal against footwashing. I don't see how that replaces real life. It reaches further into the concept and the continuing awareness of what it actually means to be a servant.

You would then have to lump "communion" in with your statement. But, the Bible says, "After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." We are remembering what he has done for us on the cross.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I wonder if the little boy came back to the church for weeks afterward to find people more loving and helpful to him or was it business as usual for the young lad?

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

No I did not judge... I simply meant that their feet do not NEED washing. If they needed to be washed I'd be happy to do it. And to further horrify you I do 'lump' communion as it is practiced sacramentaly in with this.

I am not against anyone practicing foot washing... do what you will... but if I choose not to be a part of it how about if you don't assume that I am not willing to serve or crucify my flesh or whatever Bro. Robbins was assuming... When the truth is that I simply find it a ridiculous waste of time that means nothing to me and I have a hard time not laughing out loud as people weep over one another's feet.

I am a practicalist. If someone needs washing I am happy to do it, hair, bodies, rear ends, or feet. I have no pride whatsoever about it. I will and have brushed teeth and dentures. I will change an adult diaper. I will spoon feed someone who can not eat on their own.

I will not however wash perfectly clean feet of perfectly able bodied people and call it a religious experience when for me it is not.

For me helping in some tangible way... giving money, visiting, babysitting, cooking, cleaning, giving a ride, doing a load of laundry, fixing a broken window or a leaking faucet are ways to show love and be a servant. And when foot washing was done in bible times it was like that... feet were dirty bruised, cracked, and hurting. People are still dirty, bruised, cracked and hurting... but unless you are at a homeless mission, in a foreign land or at a podiatrists office, most times their feet... well they are just fine.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Umkay.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Let me give a little background and flesh out my thoughts a moment.

I was raised Catholic. The Catholic church is the epitome of sacrosanct tradition. Everything that is done is done by rote. I do not see this as something that helps people build a real relationship with the Savior and I have a very low tolerance for anything that resembles that. I see the washing of clean feet as just such a thing.

Still, I have no desire to hurt anyone's feelings. If people believe that they have had a deep religious experience in the washing of feet that is just alright with me. Perhaps I should have kept my opinion to myself on this, so as not to offend but felt I should express it after reading what a failure someone felt certain people were who do not feel like this is something they need to do.

I was simply trying to add the perspective of one who prefers to not participate in foot washing.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I don't believe that footwashing is any more a Biblical requirement than a baby dedication. But, I sure wouldn't hang around with anyone that would mock and laugh at a person or a group's small gesture of humility or a consecration.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I'm a nurse, washing feet doesn't really humble me. I've washed more cracks and grooves then I can remember. Abdomen folds, crusty flaky feet, under breast, armpits, should I go on??? lol :)

It's being a servant to others in day to day life that I need to work on. I know of arrogant self serving types that did foot washing.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I think some people object because it's foreign in our culture. In Jesus' day, this was commonly the role of a servant--to wash the dust from someone's feet, and He took on the role of a servant and washed the feet of His disciples. It was a powerful moment. That same poignancy and meaning is often missed in modern day foot washing services because we don't have the same context. Even if we know from the story what it is supposed to mean, we still may not feel the same emotion from it, because emotion is linked to the ability to empathize or understand the deeper meaning behind the act.

That doesn't mean I think that foot washing is something we should avoid. I see value in the replication of the ceremony for the sake of it. I've never gotten the great spiritual blessing that some seem to get. When someone is washing my feet, I'm trying not to giggle because it tickles. I've never been moved to tears or spoken in tongues while having my feet washed or washing someone else's feet. I do agree that it is STILL a humbling experience--especially in this day and age when we are so aware of germs, so sensitive to smells and have such magnified personal boundaries. THAT part still holds true.

One thing that really grates on my nerves, which has no bearing on this conversation really, is when women leave on their pantyhose for a foot washing. WHY????? It feels SO odd to wash a woman's foot that is still in the stocking. LOL!!!!

My other pet peeve is the spiritual pressure that some churches place on this ceremony. It has to be *so* serious and *so* spiritual. Sad faces, crying, prayerful attitudes and speaking in tongues are allowed, but smiling, laughing and having a good time is somehow disrespectful. I don't get that attitude from the scriptural account at all, and I think it's silly to make people feel like they can't act naturally.

Anyway, I appreciate the ceremony for what it is--it is the reproduction of a ceremony Jesus performed with His disciples. I don't view it as some great spiritual experience, I see it as a practical act of humility. Further, I don't expect modern day Christians to truly appreciate the concept since we live in a culture where footwashing isn't common, and neither are servants. I still think the ceremony has value, mainly because Jesus said He wanted us to continue the ritual. Maybe, at the very least, He always wanted us to think about serving one another in humility--and this ritual IS a reminder of that.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Bratty, I wanna be you when I grow up... You restated my position with a great deal more sweetness then I seem to posess.

When I said I could not keep from laughing, I meant it. Not in a disrespectful way but just that some things are FUNNY. Washing feet clad in pantyhose is funny. Pink toenails with little flowers painted on are cute. But the foot washings I have beent\ to (admittedly only three) were all weepy, sorrowful events. It was as if mourning were expected. Ours were always on New Years Eve during a watch night service. At midnight I'm always a little giddy and punchy anyway....

Of course I had a terrible time not laughing at some of the antics in regular services too but usually they are so loud that no one really heard my chuckles or they mistook them for holy laughter :)

PO I just continue to offend you no matter how I try to explain. I am sorry we differ here. I truly hope and pray that you can see past that and not continue to feel as if I am someone you wouldn't 'hang out' with. :)

Truthseeker, maybe it's a nurse thing... I wash a lot of skin... all those things you've described and of course as you know, worse. I did wound care for a couple of years. When I see how many people really have no one to love them, no one that ever touches them, no one to care for them when they are sick I just find so many other ways to fill the time then cerimony.

Now if your feet are dirty or hurting I'm all about helping you out with that. :)

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Maybe the real meaning of Jesus washing there feet was to teach us to fill whatever need our brothers have. He didn't do it as a ceremony but an actual need.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I have cried, spoken in tongues and felt God's wonderful, lovely, powerful Spirit engulf me and those participating. I have also washed my enemies feet and came away released from anger and restored. To me, it is a beautiful and powerful remembrance, and for some, an awakening of how deep and pure our love and service to each other and our community reaches. To do the most humble and menial thing of kneeling and washing a person's feet.... I have never been in a footwashing that wasn't a beautiful experience.

I have never been a member of a church that forced anyone to participate. It was always an option. So, perhaps we come away with what our environment produced or our character brought to it.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I agree. This bothers me, because not only is the ceremony orchestrated (of course--it's a ritual :rolleyes2), but the outcome is also orchestrated, or at least attempts are made to that end. It's one thing to want everyone to participate; it's quite another to arrogantly insist that everyone have the same emotional experience or else. (Or else they will be judged as less spiritual, or else they will be judged as not being real Christians, or else they will be judged as not taking Christ seriously, etc. etc.) It is not necessary for anyone to cry, speak in tongues or even pray fervently during foot washing. Mind you, I don't disdain anyone who does, or who has a great spiritual experience during the ceremony. I just wish others wouldn't look down on those who can't keep a straight face. We had ladies in our church who would giggle and others who would pray. I'm fine with it either way. It's VERY silly to read into this very human reaction--and it's taking oneSELF too seriously. It has nothing to do with taking God seriously.

I have a feeling if any person came to your home with sore, swollen, tired or dirty feet, you would have no trouble tending to their feet, and that is what is at the core of this ceremony. Taking on Christ-like humility and serving others. Anyone who uses this occasion to feel spiritually superior to those who either don't participate or those who don't participate to their standards is missing the point ENTIRELY. It's straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Okay, here's my opinion:

If, as you stated, this church is very respectful, serious and deliberate about communion, this is probably why only 25% of the people participated in the footwashing.

They may know better than to participate in something they can't take all that seriously. It's a shame really, that people can't just be people. Jesus would have appreciated them in all their humanity. It's really terrible that we can't follow His example. We make things much more serious than He would have, IMO. Really, it goes back to people taking themSELVES seriously, and not so much taking Christ seriously. Which is a form of arrogance if you boil it right down.

I would rather go to a church where the feeling was warm and inclusive and friendly; I'm not impressed with the overly-serious. Of course, I'm reading into your story based on events I have observed over the years and this may not apply to this assembly at all. It's just my experience that if people don't participate, it's because they don't feel welcome to do so for whatever reason.

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I guess I don't understand going to a Trinity church to watch this?

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LOL, I was waiting for that question... I still fellowship with Trinitarian brothers and churches, even though I am no longer Trinitarian. They know what I believe, and where I stand, and some (though very few) still book me to come preach for them and do leadership workshops.

I believe as long as they know where I stand, and I them... then what we have in common is enough for me to fellowship at times with them.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

I have, and others have. Situations where the emotion wasn't allowed to develop naturally and the Spirit wasn't really allowed to move in its own way, but rather things were forced, and I personally felt like if I didn't speak in tongues, cry or pray I was somehow *less than.* IMO, this is due to pressure being placed on the experience that Christ would never have placed there. I'm fine with people naturally viewing this as a beautiful experience and getting spiritual benefit from it. I believe we all benefit from repeating Christ's actions and humbling ourselves. However, when something is overly-spiritualized, unreasonable expectations can be placed on the ceremony and very human distortion becomes a component in what should have a simple act of washing a person's feet. This is what people do, though. They take simple Biblical acts and make them into rituals with unreasonable expectations of the outcome. It's human nature. And it's conversely prohibitive to welcoming human participation, except by certain people who are thoroughly comfortable with the expanded tradition.

We each have our own paradigm, and we experience things in different ways. As for forcing--I guess I haven't been to a church that forced anyone to participate per se, but certainly there was verbal pressure from the pulpit. Personally, I'm more comfortable with talking and laughing with the person washing my feet and vice versa and then praying with them afterward. I *can't* pray while someone is washing my feet. It's just not going to happen. I don't think that says anything at all about my character. It says something about my physiology--maybe. :D

Off topic a little bit (but not THAT much), but my husband was complaining this morning about people who post to Facebook with these kinds of posts:

"REPOST THIS IF YOU TRULY LOVE GOD, but ONLY 3% of people will REPOST THIS MESSAGE! *insert something spiritual here* IF YOU DON'T POST THIS, YOU ARE ASHAMED OF HIM--AND HE WILL BE ASHAMED OF YOU!"

Kwim?

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I know what you mean in the bold. It's like putting up a bumper sticker. Have you seen the one that says, "Obey Acts 2:38"? I can't stand that bumper sticker. It comes across, to me, as hateful and forceful. God led me to where I am, and I think we need to allow that to happen in other's lives as well.

I think whoever presides over the footwashing will make or break the ceremony. We don't do footwashing often, but the last time we had it my son's ex-girlfriend was present. I had prayed and carried an intense burden for her life - often waking in the wee hours travailing for her soul. God had to show me that I needed to leave that prayer at His feet and that He didn't want us to carry such pain. He carries it for us.

She received the Holy Ghost some time later. During that footwashing, she washed my feet. She cried and hugged me and said, "I have never seen Jesus, but when I look at you and I am with you, you are as close to what I think He is about." I loved her so much. I wish she and my son could have made that relationship work out. She moved away shortly after that footwashing and I can only be thankful I was able to share that beautiful experience between us.

.

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Yes! We had a certain preacher write stuff like that ALL OVER OUR CAR after our wedding reception. Fortunately, we had friends who were annoyed enough to erase his handiwork and put some silly mushy stuff on the car instead.

I agree with this 100%!!!!

That's very sweet, PO! I believe anytime we share authentic Christianity with people, beautiful things can and do result! :thumbsup

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And here is my answer:

This is what YOU feel that these actions represent. That's the thing about tradition, everybody feels differently about what the tradition means based on their experiences. Some don't do Christmas while for others it is the holiest of holy days... same for Easter... When I was Catholic I had friends whoes very lives depended on getting to confession once a week to be 'absolved' and others who saw it as someting for their deathbead only. I think footwashing is a littel silly others might think it is the way you describe it. So when they walk off it does not mean to them what it means to you to see them walk off. KWIM?

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Ugh! Glad they corrected that. LOL!

I was a little embarrassed when she said what she did, but then I remembered how when my son was giving her grief, her co-workers told her to be careful what she said to me because of my son. She said, "You don't have to worry. She doesn't take sides." I was happy that with all my faults, she knew that I would be fair.

I'm praying that she will meet a man that will truly love her. I hope she calls me someday. I can't keep in touch because my son is married.

The other day, his wife got a new phone and needed some of my numbers. I handed her the phone and forgot that I still had his old girlfriend's number in my contacts! Yikes!!!!

Okay, I'm out for the Easter holidays! Hope you all have a great Easter weekend!

Now go find a homeless man, feed him and wash his nappy feet! :toofunny

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I don't have any Trinitarian brothers? To be a brother you must be born again of water & the Spirit. So I guess that is where we are different.

Re: Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observati
 

Just getting around to post in this thread... Bro. Robbins... I don't see anywhere in the NT where footwashing was part of a commandment from the apostles to do, although partaking of the Lord's Supper was. I Cor. 11.

However, footwashing is symbolic of humility, and it was Jesus who took it upon himself to wash the feet of his disciples. There is no account anywhere that I know of, that the disciples turned around and washed Jesus' feet.

It was Christ showing the church how to humble yourselves. It is placing yourself at the feet of your brethren, and realizing that none of us are greater than the other. In Christ, we serve one another, and love is the greatest of all the commandments, loving one another, even our enemies.

This was a symbolic act, one that the Church nowadays does in symbolism, but the actual act and meaning intended to change the heart has been lost.

If each one of us were to take Christ's example, and love and serve one another in the most humblng of ways, that would be the truest way for the footwashing symbolism to be expressed, not just in a literal religious format (as in a footwashing service once a year).

I think there is nothing wrong with the church doing footwashing, but if we can't "wash our brother's feet" by serving one another, and realizing we are all one and the same in the body of Christ... THEN we have LOST the meaning and purpose that Jesus intended when he washed the disciples feet.

We are not to lift one or the other up higher, but we are to realize that we are all servants ... regardless of the ministry position held... we are ALL servants to Jesus, and as we serve Him, we are to serve and love one another.

This is the symbolism of footwashing that most of the church wants NOTHING to do with, but yet, it is just as important as partaking of the Lord's Supper.