What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

I was raised Pentecostal, so I have been to my share of foot washing services. But I have never understood their purpose.

I know th story of Jesus washing the feet as an act of humility and service. But what does mimicking that passage do for us?

When Jesus did it, it was needful and had significance. When we splash warm water on clean feet, it just seems silly at best, and a mockery at worst. We are in no way serving people by doing that.

It seems more fitting, if we want to serve like Jesus did, that we would find a needed and humble task and do that in rememberance of how he served.

But maybe I'm missing another point besides service. All constructive comments are welcome!

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

I beleive it is a reminder of the fact that we are servants first & foremost & that true humility is what God wants to see in our lives.
Taking communion while it has a very deep & very spiritual meaning, is similar.
I do not beleive in the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation, but it causes us to remember what it cost the Lord to purchase my salvation.
We took communion at the end of the year & in examining myself before taking communion, it made me realize just what Christ did for us & how incredibly unworthy we are of so great a gift.

Also, I personally beleive partaking of communion & footwashing brings the body closer together!:thumbsup

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It's difficult to have something in your heart against a sister when you are washing each other's feet.

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Ah, but what if your a man who has ought against a sister?

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You must wash her husbands, brother's or daddies feet.:bigbaby

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lol:heeheehee

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I think you are on the right track. There is a lesson or principle being taught and that is humble acts of service to your brothers. Wash his dirty car not his clean feet.

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That's exactly what I'm thinking!! Do something that needs doing! Not some meaningless re-enactment of something that needed doing back then, but doesn't need doing today.

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Is anyone saying that this is not being done?
I seem to remember the question being, "What is the purpose of a foot washing service?"
Now, if you had made a thread about, "Do we need a footwashing service?"
I think it is beneficial but again, are Pastor has drilled it into us that we are servants.
For example, he many times, changes peoples oil in their cars & he supplies the oil & oil filters.
Servanthood is a life style!

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

Um... No one except you has mentioned anything about other methods of service not being done.

So, since you feel the foot washing is significant, help me understand what you see in it that I don't. How is it beneficial? What purpose does re-enacting the biblical story serve in your life?

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

Look back at my first post in this thread--I already stated it.

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

I take exception to the term "mimicking" as that in my opinion is not what foot washing is about.

First of all, Jesus said that ought you to do. That is enough for me.

Purpose? Go back and read the scriptures and see what the apostles were discussing before Jesus got up and began washing their feet. As most people do when working together someone is going to think they are the best, the most important, etc. But Jesus showed them by example to be great you must be a servant to each other.

It also has a purpose of bring humility as you bow before your brother or sister. You can't lord over someone on your knees.

You are walking into a dangerous error when YOU think to change what God said do and choose your own choice of what you will wash or not wash.

I have never understood why people fight washing one anothers feet and then claim it is not because they are too proud to do so.

What about communion that is also just an example of the body of Jesus. Surely you don't think you must eat blood and flesh to make it seem more appropriate, as though a dirty foot washed was His only intent in saying we OUGHT to wash each others feet.

If you go back to what God told the priest when He established the Tabernacle that if they did not wash their feet and hands they would die.

Some things we need to do just in obedience to God and not try to figure out the why of it.

Beware we are in the days of deception and becareful you are not deceived in thinking you know more than God does in what He stated in His Word what we are and are not to do.

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

:nod

That's why I like reading your books--got any more?:thumbsup

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Working on one now.

I keep thinking this is the year I will get it finished and WOW another year is gone.

Thanks for the compliment. :yourock

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Do you have a website for your books?

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You edited me? Why do I always get edited?:foottap

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I edited my error not yours. Had a "the" that was not needed. :)

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You deserve it & I would recomend your books to anyone, anytime!:happydance

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

I do not now.

If you are interested I have three books and you can PM for more information.

:highfive

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Uh, thanks!:highfive

I was begining to think there was a conspiracy!:heeheehee

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Thank you very much. The last book I published was a children's book. Although I think the content is just as appropirate for adults. :)

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

:highfive No your good.

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

@Esther - I absolutely think we should serve others and be humble. That's what I've always thought that scripture was saying. And one of the reasons that the foot washing service befuddles me - it is not a service. No one at the foot washing services today come with dirty feet. It's nothing needful.

Are you saying you think it was more literal, in that Jesus was telling us we needed to wash each others feet literally? That's interesting. I've never heard it teached like that before. Do you have something to back you up on that interpretation as far as being able to tell from sentence structure, or in some other what, that is what was meant?

If so, lay it one me!!

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

Oh, and I do take bread and wine (when available, most churches only serve juice) in rememberance as often as possible - preferably weekly. Because Jesus said to do that in rememberance of him. He explained how the wine represented his blood and the bread represents his body.

That's clear to me. If the foot washing thing is meant to be literal, that is not at all clear to me.

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

Here's a rough draft of an article that I wrote for the no longer on line 90 & 9.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

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!

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

When we do men's ministry, some of the guys come straight from work and yep they bring some dirty and stinky tree climbers.......:trashcan

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Love it. Thank you!! :yourock

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Please do.

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John 13:14 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.

I don't see where any confusion can be in these scriptures. He plainly said you "ought" to wash each others feet.

"ought" 1. have a duty; be obliged: [you ought to obey your parents] 2. be right or suitable [it ought to be allowed] 3. be wise [I ought to go before it rains] 4. be expected: [ at your age you ought to know better] 5. be very likely: the fastest one ought to win the race
syn. 1. must, should
Thorndike Barnhart Dictionary

To me here He is saying you MUST I have given you an example of what I want you to do.

How is that confusing?

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Although I commend you for your acts of kindness, which are also scriptural, I believe you are choosing for yourself what you want to wash vs what God said to wash. I am reminded of the scripture to not add or take away from scripture unless you be cursed. Even though the cars you wash may be dirty and the feet or not, it is a matter of obedience not sacrifice.

Also, as a point to you implying the apostles feet were dirty when Jesus knelt to wash them, I doubt that since they had already been in the home and as you correctly stated they would have someone wash/rinse the dirt off their feet when they entered.

Again, I wish to caution this generation to beware of deception and don't be deceived into not obeying the scriptures.

You take communion that is not blood and flesh do you not? What is the difference?

Re: What is the purpose of a foot washing service?
 

Correct, Jesus was speaking to those disciples, 2000 years ago, who practiced a CUSTOM of footwashing.

In there day and custom, YES, they should follow his EXAMPLE and humbly wash a brothers feet.

Bu i contend we have missed the PRINCIPLE Christ was teaching if we think washing someone feet here in America 2000 years later is the LESSON he wanted to impart to us.

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Well I am puzzled how you are choosing to decide which scriptures was for only the disciples and which are for everyone even 2000 years later???

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Common sense and maybe a bit of discernment. That's how I roll, it doesn't seem to work for everyone. :icecream

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Every man does what is right in HIS OWN eyes.

Do you participate in communion?

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A common problem of the modern day Church nowadays!
Actually, Jim Jones brought his own interpetation to the Scriptures at Peoples Temple which led to a thousand people losing their lives!

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I do, even though I don't think the thimble of grape juice and morsel of a wafer is what the early church dined on.

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Exactly! But it is the principal, which is the same for footwashing. It is a principal.

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Yeah Ron, that's where I'm going with this........:foottap

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Yes, that's what I am saying!!

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True.

The church of Laodicea he told them they were lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, and he would vomit them out of His mouth. He went on to say, they think they are rich and have need of nothing, but they are wretched, miserable, poor and blind and naked; in other words they are deceived.

I believe we are in the church age of the Laodicea and that is why we see so many being deceived in the last days. We are seeing more and more lukewarm saints.

I wonder if part of that is because of the very busy and hectic lifestyles of today??

I know the only antidote to deception is having a love for the truth. Loving truth, does not always agree with what you want to believe or accept. But God is Truth, and we must believe Him and in Him.

To many know OF Him but don't KNOW Him.