No, we do not practice this as an ordinance of the church.
To me, cleaning the toilets at church is based on the same principle. Christ was showing us how to be servants to each other.
Does the church you attend practice feet washing as an ordinance?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Old Union Brother, Nov 13, 2010.
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righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yes...
It will bring you down to the place of a servant, and there is nothing more humbling than to serve another from this position, physically and spiritually!
Humbly,
Pastor Paul :type: -
May God Bless all of you and I respect your opinions even if I disagree with some of them.
John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Should we not follow an example set by Christ?
John 13:16 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.
What better way to show forgiveness of short coming of each other?
John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
I know that I am very happy in the spirit when I get down at the feet of one of God's saints.
Thank you for your replies and God Bless
Jeff -
I don't practice feet washing and I haven't attended a church that does. I think it's pretty disrespectful for folks above to belittle the practice as they do however. -
Again, I believe it can be a lovely symbol if one chooses to perform the specific act, but its symbolism is its strongest point. -
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It amazes me that people write off feet washing as being symbolic, but want to literally practice Baptism and the Lord's Supper. What do you think they are, if not symbolic? What do you think the OT law sacrifices and feasts were, if not symbolic? Just because something is symbolic doesn't mean God didn't mean His people to literally practice it. God intended the OT Jews to literally hold those feasts and literally perform those sacrifices, even though they were shadows/pictures/symbols of things to come. God intends us to perform baptism even though it is entirely symbolic and pictorial. God intends us to keep the Lord's Supper with wine and unleavened bread even though those things are symbols. What is the difference between those things and feet washing?
Jesus said, "what I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." He wasn't performing a cultural ceremony, but something that has higher meaning. When Peter told Jesus not to wash his feet the Lord said, "if I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." Do you understand the fellowship we forfeit by not doing what He said? Jesus went on to say, "Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you. 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. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
It's pretty simple. What had Jesus done to them? Washed their feet. He said they ought to do to one another as He had done to them. They ought to wash one another's feet. If He humbled Himself in such a manner to wash a sinner's feet, when He is Lord of all, how can we object to doing what He said in this matter? Are we holier than Jesus? This is a great example of humility in service. We perform this ordinance to remind us of this great principle - he that is greatest among you, let him be your servant. We are to serve one another, esteem one another more highly than ourselves, and put God first in all things. It's hard to exalt yourself above someone when you are washing his/her feet. A lot of church fights would be solved with a little feet washing.
I have felt great blessings through following this great ordinance and dearly wish more Christians would observe it as well. -
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