Foot washing

[Sam]

One of the most memorable footwashings I participated in was quite a few years back when I was going to a UPC church. I was in my thirties and I washed the feet of an old man. He was the father of a man who was a deacon in the church and of a daughter who was a missionary. He had been serving God for many years. I think he was an officer in the church but I don't remember now. His hands and feet were very deformed from arthritis. As I washed his feet I thought, "What if the rapture happened right now and I saw those gnarled feet transformed and straightened in my hand in the split second before we ascended to see Jesus?"

I have no battle or problem with footwashing. I just don't believe it was meant to be a ritual that we perform literally. If the church I am going to now had a footwashing service I would participate.

The only time I have seen footwashing in the couple years I have been going to this church was one Sunday morning when a young man was leaving Ohio to go to Florida for ministerial training. He was called up before the congregation so we could pray for him as he entered this new phase of life. He had his mother and father come to the front and he washed their feet. It was very touching.

Water baptism, communion, anointing with oil, laying on of hands, and foot washing are all old customs/traditions/rituals in the church which can carry messages and deep meanings for us today but I do not consider them salvational (just my opinion).

[Esther]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

I figured you'd pull that scripture out of your hat Elder. The things mentioned were in regard to taking on the care of a "widow" not things to do to be saved.

Listed among them were the requirement to have brought up children. She must have lodged strangers,she needed to have relieved the afflicted.

to use this text to try to prove foot washing as salvational is to do great vilonce to the scripture.

You are out of context here Elder.

I have no doubt that widows washed the feet of saints back in that day.
Weary travelers had dirty feet when they arrived as guest at someones house.

All the things mentioned as requirement for a widow, along with humbly washing a guests feet were as Jesus taught in the example of Foot washing in John 13.

Acts of humble service.

Foot washing was a part of the culture of that day..it's plain and simple.

Only one time do we see it as a "religeuos event"


I goot run along now. heading to a leadership retreat in Wisconsin....we will be taking communion tgether...who knows, maybe we'll wash feet too.


Have a happy Day Elder E.

Why do you take communion? It was given as an example only ONCE at the same time of footwashing. I know it doesn't take much pride to eat and drink.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Esther

Why do you take communion? It was given as an example only ONCE at the same time of footwashing. I know it doesn't take much pride to eat and drink.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS!!!!!!:ha nky

[Sister Alvear]

I love those services and wish we had them more often. I feel a deep moving of God's spirit and many times have seen God heal and work out problems between people in footwashing services.

[Ferd]

I am sorry. I dont see what Brother Epley did that was so wrong. It seems to me his comments were respectful and not in anyway threatening.

I am lost.

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I love those services and wish we had them more often. I feel a deep moving of God's spirit and many times have seen God heal and work out problems between people in footwashing services.

I don't think of footwashing, or anything else for that matter as a command. It is a priviledge....and honor to wash my brothers feet. There was a situation a few years ago in Tennessee where several Apostolic churches in the same area had fallen out of fellowship. Some had not spoken to each other in years. One of the brothers began to pray and seek God because of the "emptiness" he felt in his soul. The Lord began to deal with him to go to the other brethren and wash their feet. He did. Some refused at first, but over time, fellowship was retored and brethren were once again in... well, one accord. I was there for a communion foot washing service and had the extreme honor of washing the feet of these servants of God who "...bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isa 52:7 "

[Thad]

i Do Not like footwashing!!!! i will not participate unless i knew for sure it was a life or death heaven or hell matter. I think it's an ancient hospitality practice that was common in that time-not mandatory

[Sister Alvear]

come to Brazil, Thad I will wash your feet as an ancient hospitality practice...

[Sister Alvear]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

I don't think of footwashing, or anything else for that matter as a command. It is a priviledge....and honor to wash my brothers feet. There was a situation a few years ago in Tennessee where several Apostolic churches in the same area had fallen out of fellowship. Some had not spoken to each other in years. One of the brothers began to pray and seek God because of the "emptiness" he felt in his soul. The Lord began to deal with him to go to the other brethren and wash their feet. He did. Some refused at first, but over time, fellowship was retored and brethren were once again in... well, one accord. I was there for a communion foot washing service and had the extreme honor of washing the feet of these servants of God who "...bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isa 52:7 "

and such an honor to wash the feet of God's children...

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Ferd

I am sorry. I dont see what Brother Epley did that was so wrong. It seems to me his comments were respectful and not in anyway threatening.

I am lost.

He wasn't. I think they were referring to past experiences not SE.

JMO