Feet Washing Service

I was baptized in January of 1999 in a small Primitive Baptist church in Virginia and had my first feet washing in July of that same year during Columbia PBC's annual meeting at Burtonsville, Maryland.
The Brother who washed my feet now home with the Lord (he died at the good old age of 102) was the former pastor of the church, Elder Jim Compton.
I was 53 years old at the time, and the saint washing my feet was 93 years old, a full generation ahead of me, if it is true that one Biblical generation equals 40 years.
It was a very humbling experience as I took my turn at washing his feet, afterwards, and as the saints sang and hugged each other after the event.
Since that year I have participated in other feet washings and have never ceased to feel the sense of brotherhood and brotherly love that the first New Testament church must have felt as their Lord bent over to wash their feet.

 

As many have said, there is no place where Christ told us to wash other people's feet (you also ought to wash one another's feet).

Almost all Free Will Baptist practice Feet Washing with Communion. Many chose not to take part. It amazes me how many deny that Christ said we should wash one anothers feet. It is a most humbling experiance. Remember when Peter said that Jesus could not wash his feet? Remember Christ reply? Just humble yourself enough to let the Pastor wash your feet, or to wash his or another saints. It is an experiance you will never forget.

It's not a matter of works, just being obediant to the scripture. Christ said I shoul pray, so I pray. Christ said i should Love, so I love. Christ said I should wash others feet, so I wash others feet. And yes, some feet can be very nasty. I know of one man who lost most of his feet in the Viet Nam war. His feet are all knarled and crooked. I am sure it is not easy for him, but he takes part in the service and I admire his willingness.

Try to hold a grudge or feel supior to someone when you are washing there feet and they are washing yours. It's not so easy.

 

While there are those who wash their feet at home and go to church and get their feet washed, there are those walk into a church who need a bath. Would that kind of a church give a person in need of a bath too?

 

Now who was it that washed Jesus feet with HER tears?

 

If you don't walk about bare foot and wearing sandals in a desert land, why do your feet need washing? There is nothing symbolic in this act. Now shining my shoes would be nice!

Cheers,

Jim

 

I don't see why not if he really was in need of one. But he can help himself. Nothing in Scriptures say the saints ought to give each other a bath and nothing in Scriptures show a New Testament saint giving another one a bath either.
At any rate, I don't know of any church that includes bathing each other in their Lord's Table observance, which is what feet washing is a part of.

 

The experience is wonderful. You do reap so much joy in doing the service. You are certainly blessed as I can read in your statement. My Wife and I united with a small PB church in Baltimore, Nov.30 1966. We moved back to Wv in 1967 and joined with our now home church here. I probably know of or know some of the Elders you are acquainted with.

 

I read a lot of comments of why we don't need to, that it makes no sense, not needed today, and has nothing to do with humility(mostly from the proud). However I have not read anyone commenting on John 13: 13-15.

Pretty clear that Christ set an example, both symbolic and actual.

 

A member of the baptistboard who rarely posts, rlvaughn, was writing a book about the history of the tradition of foot washing in baptist churches. I recommend doing a search on his posts on the topic.

 

If someone came to my home wearing sandals and had animal manure on their feet you can bet I would want to wash their feet before stepping onto my carpet.

I sure wished that some of the foot washers had come to my parents farm each day to help scrape the cow manure off of the slab and wash the cows. Never had one yet to this day. I wonder how many foot washers would consider that service to God.

If someone wants to sue you and take your underwear, would you also give them your outer garments and stand there naked? That is what Jesus taught in Mt. 5:40.

 

History does evolve and customs change over time. Whilst scripture gives us eternal truths, not all events are meant to carry on in time. The principles, yes, the events, no.

Cheers,

Jim

 

It appears you have missed the point of the discussion, are trying to be funny, or disrespectful!

 

John 13:4-16

4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
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.
16. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Verse 16 appears to be symbolic. Verses 14, 15 appear to be a commandment.

What ever one may think of the practice of washing feet as part of worship, it should not be the subject of ridicule as some on this thread have made it.:tear:

 

Nicholas, one of the leaders among Free Will Baptists has recently written a book on washing the saints feet. I reviewed it here: http://baptistsearch.blogspot.com/2006/11/washing-of-saints-feet-book-review.html
You might find the review and the book interesting. I wonder if washing the saints' feet isn't losing ground among Free Will Baptists. It is my understanding that the largest Free Will Baptist Church in our area no longer practices it, while retaining it "on the books" (this assuming the information I have received is not outdated).

If one argues against the practice of feet washing based on it being Jewish custom and practice, might we not also need to review baptism (which is related to Jewish washings), and the Lord's Supper (which grows out of the Jewish passover)? This are not "native" Gentile practices but have been brought to us through the Bible and Christianity.

I wouldn't worry about what visitors think, if I were convinced the practice is Biblical. Try to determine that first, and the rest should fall into place.

 

Brother, thanks for the reference. This link should go directly to the preview of the book: http://www.yourbook.com/DisplayArea/IP27072-08.pdf

The information that you supplied me is included, though it can't be viewed in the linked preview.

 

speaking in "tongues" is also biblical. It is mentioned in several passages of the New Testament, but has mainly passed except in Pentecostal churches.

Gowns are common in the Middle East, but we wear trousers in the West.

They held services in homes in biblical times, had regular meals followed by preaching services and even the Lord's Supper. Oh, I almost forgot that Christians also met in sewers and other secret places to avoid Roman persecution. Thank God we have moved beyond those times.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Thanks for the referance to the book. I think I'll have to get a copy. As for the practice of washing the saints feet losing ground in the Free Will Baptist, sadly it is probably true. We typically do Communion and Foot Washing once or twice a year at my church and the crowd typically is about half for the foot washing.

I have been reading the forums for about a month now. When you read you get some impressions about some members. I find it interesting how my impressions mirror the responses about foot washing...

 

Brother Jim, I think the comparison of speaking in "tongues" has some merit. Like feet washing, it is also biblical. But unlike feet washing, the general objection to it is not that it is cultural, but that it has passed away. Many Baptists are cessationists, holding that the miraculous gifts have ceased. Those who are not cessationists believe that "tongues" can still be for today if the Spirit so desires.

As to gowns, there is no comparison. While one might argue that both are cultural, there is no "If I then, your Lord and Master, have worn a gown; ye also ought to wear a gown." No "For I have given you an example (of wearing a gown), that ye should do as I have done." No "If ye know these things (about wearing a gown), happy are ye if ye do them." Feet washing as a symbolic practice within the church stands or falls on whether Jesus intended any literal practice in his exhortation of John 13:13-17, not whether it is cultural.

As to holding services in homes, having regular meals followed by preaching services and the Lord's Supper, etc., I am unaware that anyone objects to the practice of these today because they are "cultural". Some do exactly as you describe above. As to Christians meeting in sewers and other secret places to avoid persecution, I suppose we could call that "cultural". While there may be no western Christians experiencing this at this time, it currently happens in other places around the globe. And it might be that we will see those times again in this place.

TheGospelgeek, you're welcome for the reference. The review contains a link to the book from Randall House, the publisher. Of course, it can also be purchased from Amazon and other places as well. I'm not sure how your church compares with other Free Will Baptists, but would say that for most Missionary Baptists who still practice feet washing, those who participate in it are probably only 25% of the regular attendance. I don't know, but would suppose Old Regulars and Primitives likely to have a much better participation per membership/attendance ratio.

 

Sometimes one must expose the ridiculousness of something that is nothing more than a ritual and serves no practical purpose as Jesus did when he washed people's feet. Foot washing had a practical component of serving as a servant would. Foot washing was the job of a servant. Servants serve anyone who has a need. God blesses when we serve not just goes through rituals in a church building. Take your service into the world as Jesus did.