Foot washing

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Sam

My personal opinion is that Jesus gave us an example of service.
He taught that we should serve one another by love.
I don't think His words mean that we should literally have regular "foot washing services."

I've been part of churches who practice foot washing. I've participated. I've never heard it mentioned in the church where I have been going since spring of 2006 and we have (open) communion about once a month. I have no problem washing a brother's feet. I think washing feet is symbolic of serving one another. I think Peter was thinking back to that night in the upper room when he wrote these words years later:

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Peter 5:1-6

Verse 5 reads:
"put on the apron of humility" Moffatt, ISV"
"wrap yourselves in the garment of humility" NEB
"wear the overall of humility" Phillips
"Clothe (apron) yurselves, ... with humility --as the garb of a servant" Amplified

Sam,
Your are such a seasoned voice of reason, at the risk of your reputation, I agree with you.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Again Freeatlast you are incorrect it was NOT a common practice for the host to wash the guest's feet. He provided water for the guests and they washed their own feet at their coming INTO the house NOT at the end of a meal.
I just do as Jesus DID and what He said to DO so if I am wrong who misled me?

I thought it was the servants that washed the quest's feet. I have washed feet many times, but I haven't seen it done in quite some time.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by crakjak

I thought it was the servants that washed the quest's feet.

At times that was so. I forget the passage where that happened but mostly the host gave the guests water and they washed their own feet. See Gen. 18 & 19.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

There was quite a fuss at PPH a couple years ago when a new exec took over a dept. and had a foot washing there at Word Aflame Center.

He insisted that they all participate and there was no small stir over it, as the women and men were made to wash each others feet.

Of course in Jesus days women did wash mens feet, and Elder E says we can't take culture in to considration...so I guess this brother was as Dan A. says, he was just more Apostolic than us all.

OH, Boy it is silent as a Texas oyster!!! in the words of Marvin Hicks. The mixed bathing I don't think I can go with.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

At times that was so. I forget the passage where that happened but mostly the host gave the guests water and they washed their own feet. See Gen. 18 & 19.

Got ya, Jesus' example of servant hood would be applicable in either situation I believe.

[OneAccord]

I have no problem with Foot washings and communion. I think they are sacred acts of the church. I had the honor of washing Bishop Boyd C. Lawson feet many years ago. What an honor. What I don't see is the act of washing feet as a command in the same way "Thou shalt not commit adultery" is a command. I see foot washing as the brothers said, an act of humility, an example of how we are to submit to one another. And, when coupled with the Lord's Supper, the means by which we commemorate the Lord's death.



What I do have a problem with is what I stated in my last post. The requirements for salvation do not end with Acts 2:38. In fact there seems to be no end to the requiremments for salvation. Stop and think: What, in your view, is required of us to be saved? Repentance? Baptism in Jesus Name? The infilling of the Holy Ghost? What else? List everything you believe is required for a person to make it to heaven. I think you'll discover you are not a 3 stepper after all. 6, or 7 maybe 8, or even a 20 stepper, becaue the list of requirements for salvation goes far beyond Acts 2:38. The Truth sets us free...

That is something I have never quite understood in the modern church. In the first century it was a cultural thing that the hosts would wash the feet of their guests. It was an act of service and hospitality. But I have always believed it was cultural.

I think it is the spirit behind it that is important, but vital to one's walk? No one is touching my feet! I don't even get pedicures or let my hubby touch them!

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

At times that was so. I forget the passage where that happened but mostly the host gave the guests water and they washed their own feet. See Gen. 18 & 19.

That is correct Elder, but that is not he point.

Jesus taught in parables and object lessons.

There are other "commands" he gave as an object lesson that he never wished anyone to ever carry out.

He often spoke allegorically.

If your eye ever offends you , you should pluck it out. Anyone here ever done that? Jesus said do it!

He said we would or could move mountains with our faith. Have you ever moved one?

The washing of the disciples feet was an EXAMPLE. The lesson being conveyed was humble acts of service by the greater towards lesser.

That is why Jesus washed their feet instead of expecting them to wash his.

I have no problem with a church that practices footwashing or that would greet brother to brother with "an holy kiss" as we are also commanded to do BTW.

My problem would be with a minister that says you gotta do these things or be lost.

To say that, in my opinion is as you say Steve, is "as wrong as two boys kissing"

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Well for a little lesson:
Mt.28:20 "Teaching them to OBSERVE ALL things I have commanded..."
Mt. 7:24-27....therefor whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and DOETH them, I will liken him unto a wise man...........and everyone that heareth these sayings of mine and DOETH THEM NOT I will liken him unto a foolish man.
1Tim. 6:3....if any man teach other wise and consent NOT to the wholesome WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST......he is proud, knowing nothing.
Jn. 13:4-17 just the highlights:
Jesus takes literal water in a literal pan and literally washes the disciples literal feet.
Tells Peter if he does not wash his feet 'thou hast NO part with me'
v.12..................KNOW ye what I have done unto you?
v. 13 Ye call me Lord and Master and ye say well for so I am.
v.14 If I then be your Lord and master have washed your feet ye ALSO OUGHT to wash one another's feet.
15. I have given you an EXAMPLE that ye should DO as I have DONE to you.
v.17 If ye know these things happy are ye if ye DO them.
Your choice. Be foolish if you want to I will be wise and DO what Jesus DID and commanded.

I'm going to go curse a fruit tree the next time I see one. Jesus cursed a literal fig tree because it didn't have literal fruit on it, and it literally withered and literally died...

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

His yoke is easy what is difficult about washing the saint's feet or taking the Lord's Supper? I have no doubt some will be in the Rapture who have done neither because the opportunity was not afforded them. But a saved person cannot reject and neglect the commandments of the Lord and meet Him in peace. I have "liberty" to obey Him nothing hard or difficult about that whatsoever.

So, we can agree to conceed that there are exceptions to the requirement of salvation? One who does not have the opportunity to partake in foot washing can be saved, even though, as you say, they are commanded by the Lord to do so? Then, by that reasoning, those who have never had the opportunity to be baptized in Jesus' Name can be saved as well? What about the multitudes in foreign lands who have never heard about Jesus Christ, they will be saved because they hadn't heard the Gospel? Or have never recieved the revelation of the Oneness of the Godhead? Seems the rigid and unchangeable Plan of Salvation may not be so regid after all.