BB pastor from Kentucky... on "footwashing"...

FYI...I think it's against BB rules to put BB members' names in the title. I thought I would mention this as I'm sure the mods will delete the name, and you might be looking for your thread.

 

Re:Footwashing

I am not answering for Brother Bob, but I go to the Old Regular Baptists and our footwashing service is FAR from solemn. You talk about shouting, singing, and praising...boy we sure do it!! This last August I got to wash my dad's feet!! Glory!! I can still see him with the towel girded about his waist, and the basin of water in his hands!! The way we do it is like this. Usually we sit in numbers of 2, and my dad washes my feet, and then I wash his. After doing this, we usually go around washing each others feet, singing and shouting the whole time. There is no choreography to doing it. We do as we are "led" by the Spirit. I usually will go around and help wash my brother's feet, no one in particular, I just go from person to person and GLADLY do this. I would love to line all my brothers together, and go down the line and wash their feet one by one. I hope this helps.

Willis

 

That's nice, all ...

Doesn't sound like you got the meaning and purpose just right, though.

At the Last Supper, they did 3 things:

1) Observed the OT worship.

2) Observed the transition.

3) Observed the NT worship.

The transition symbolized Christ dying on the cross for our sins -- afterward, in the NT tradition, we partake of His blood (death) and His bread (life) symbolically at communion symbolizing what we do on a daily basis -- trust in His salvation and live His life.

Now the "transition" thing you are talking about (foot washing) SHOULD be observed in connection with communion as well. But the specific meaning is to forgive others their sins against you or against thenselves and to confess your sins against them and ask for "washing." You see, some slept and many were sick on account of sin. They were not in real communion with God and each other on account, in many cases, of "sin unto death." Because no one would wash their feet, some partook of communion unworthily AND kept on living as they had which was making them sick.

Paul advises this (he actually advises in reverse order so I will restate his words -- "And if any man hunger, let him eat at home. -- tarry one for another... -- Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat..." 1Cor 11:34-33). That is: 1) Do not continue the Passover part of the observance -- the "love feast." 2) Do "wait on each other" so as to forgive one another. 3) Do thereby take communion worthily.

skypair

 

No problem about having my name in the post.

Hello Bro Mike;
Glad you got to experience a feetwashing. It is a great way to show your love towards one another.

What I said was solemn in our services, is the "communion" part itself. The taking of the fruit of the vine and the bread,

which represents the Lord's body and blood. After the communion services is concluded, then I as moderator come to the

pulpit and read scripture on feet washing, and the pouring water in a basin and girding ourselves with a towel, and as

Moderator, I usually wash my Assistant Moderator's feet. The deacons and their wifes, give the congregation towels and

water, and they too begin to wash each others feet. The sisters wash sisters, and brothers wash brothers feet. In this part of

the services, at the start, we begin to sing and as we get into the washing of feet, there is much rejoicing and love shown

towards each other. There is also many tears of joy shed. After all have washed someone's feet, and had their feet washed,

we do as scripture. We sing a song and go out. We all go home with a feeling of joy in our hearts.

Convicted 1 described it as I would.

Once again, very glad you had the experience and hope you continue. Its like a renewing in your heart and makes you to realize what the Love of God is all about.

BBob,

 

Sounds like a great thing... I've never been in a service where foot-washing was practiced, but it certainly sounds like something very cool! What a time for a servant!