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Feet Washing

Discussion in 'Polls Forum' started by Bro. James Reed, Feb 20, 2005.

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Do you agree with the practice of footwashing as laid out in John 13:14?

  1. Yes

    29 vote(s)
    100.0%

  2. No

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
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  1. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    There was talk about particualr denominations and their different practices, and feetwashing was raised. I'm curious about what other people think about this practice. I'm sure this has been a poll before, but it's been a while and we have many newer members who haven't commented.

    Please explain your answers below.
     
    #1 Bro. James Reed, Feb 20, 2005
  2. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    Just another example of people wanting to follow the letter, but not the spirit.

    Jesus debased Himself to the lowest menial position to illustrate that no one was too good to serve another. The practice of "footwashing" is ludicrous, to say the least.

    In Christ,
    Trotter
     
    #2 Trotter, Feb 20, 2005
  3. PastorSBC1303

    PastorSBC1303 Active Member

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    Trotter, I am curious if you have ever participated in such an occassion? I felt like you did at one point in my life.

    But now I definitely do not think it is ludicrous. Our church does not "practice" it on a regular basis, but have on special occassions. I was kind of leary of it, but once you are a part of it, it is a very humbling experience and just an exampe of the type of service we are to give to the body of Christ and to the world. I do not support it being a 3rd ordinance, but think it can be a meaningful and humbling experience for the body of Christ.
     
    #3 PastorSBC1303, Feb 20, 2005
  4. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    Trotter, since you feel that footwashing is ludicrous, then can I take it that you believe Jesus was speaking figuratively and did not actually wash the feet of any of his disciples?

    Also, why do you say we do not want to follow the spirit?

    You can not get much more spiritual than when you lower yourself to the gound, take a brother's foot in your hand, and wash it.

    It goes against what we might consider proper in society, but we are not of this world.

    The bible says to worship in spirit and in truth, so I would agree with you that someone should not do this if they are not willing serve one another. However, if you have never practices this, then you can not possibly know that there isn't a much more low and humble way to serve your brethren.

    It also seems to me that whomever voted that they would not join a church that practiced footwashing would have taken themselves out of the first church. Jesus wasjed his disciples' feet. I see at least one person on the poll feels like Peter.
     
    #4 Bro. James Reed, Feb 20, 2005
  5. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    Dear Pastor, I understand that yours is an SBC Church. Are there many SBC churches in Missouri that practice feetwashing? I know this is not generally associated with the SBC, but I have found several pockets of SBC churches (most in the east) that engage in it as a regular practice.
     
    #5 rlvaughn, Feb 20, 2005
  6. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    I forgot to mention.

    I am a Primitive Baptist and we practice footwashing.

    It is done twice a year along with our semi-annual communion.

    Of course, from my post above, you probably figured that out already. ;)
     
    #6 Bro. James Reed, Feb 20, 2005
  7. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    Jesus came to serve not to be served, He demonstrated it in scripture, washing feet was one of them. By doing so He taught us to serve, to not just serve, but to take on the roll of servant. Yet you guys do it only twice a year?
     
    #7 donnA, Feb 20, 2005
  8. Jeff Weaver

    Jeff Weaver New Member

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    I am constantly amazed at how those who want to take the Bible literally refuse to wash feet. Simnply boggles my mind.
     
    #8 Jeff Weaver, Feb 20, 2005
  9. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    There is nothing wrong at all with foot washing ceremonies, be they a few times a year or once a month.

    It's just a simple picture that makes you remind yourself that it's not all about you. It's about God and our service to Him and to other people.

    It's a very humbling event.

    A friend of mine went to a Christian marriage seminar with her husband and she said at the closing of the seminar, the spouses washed each others feet as a symbol of humbling themselves to each other in love.

    She said the wives cried. The husbands cried. The moderators cried. She said it was the most impacting thing of the whole seminar.

    We do all kinds of things in church that remind us of how we are supposed to live and act.

    Baptism and the Lord's Supper are our two sacraments as baptists, but other activities can certainly be symbolic and meaningful, too, even though they are not sacraments.

    Foot washing reminds us of our servanthood. What's wrong with reminding ourselves of that from time to time in a tangible and moving manner?

    I am a plain old Southern Baptist who doesn't see any problem with foot washing ceremonies.

    Peace-
    S.O.
     
    #9 Scarlett O., Feb 20, 2005
  10. PastorSBC1303

    PastorSBC1303 Active Member

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    Dear Pastor, I understand that yours is an SBC Church. Are there many SBC churches in Missouri that practice feetwashing? I know this is not generally associated with the SBC, but I have found several pockets of SBC churches (most in the east) that engage in it as a regular practice. </font>[/QUOTE]Not that I have come into contact with. I would say there are probably many that have done it on a special occassion, but not on a regular basis.
     
    #10 PastorSBC1303, Feb 20, 2005
  11. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    If I had cow manure squished in between my toes it would be nice to attend one of those chruches that does those sort of things.

    But I take my own showers and my feet are clean when I go to church.
     
    #11 gb93433, Feb 21, 2005
  12. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    If you like that sort of thing then ask the local dairy farmer if you can wash his cows clean at milking time. You might have to get up at 3:00 AM
     
    #12 gb93433, Feb 21, 2005
  13. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    gb, do you mock what Jesus did?
     
    #13 Bro. James Reed, Feb 21, 2005
  14. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    My current church does not practice it as such, yet I am sure that if the Elders of the church were approached and asked if we could have one of those services that it would be given the o.k pretty easily.
     
    #14 Ben W, Feb 21, 2005
  15. WallyGator

    WallyGator New Member

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    Scarlett,
    I agree with your post. I Supplied a church that practiced foot-washing about every 6 weeks. One twist: The men would wash men's feet and the womwn the women's feet. I did feel uncomfortable with it because my feet are so ugly!
     
    #15 WallyGator, Feb 21, 2005
  16. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    WallyGator, that is the way it works in our churches. Men with men and women with women.

    I guess you see that it would be "impractical" for men to wash womens' feet, especially if the woman is wearing a dress. :eek:

    You shouldn't be bothered by ugly feet.

    I've got scars on mine and my soles are about as rough as used leather.

    If and when you do participate in it again, don't think about your feet and what they look like, but rather how Jesus would have lowered himself down to do the same for you. That is about the greatest form of love I think one brother can show another in the church.
     
    #16 Bro. James Reed, Feb 21, 2005
  17. Jeff Weaver

    Jeff Weaver New Member

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    Wally

    That isn't a twist, its that way in every church I ever knew of that practiced feet washing. Sorta thought that went without saying. But maybe not.
     
    #17 Jeff Weaver, Feb 21, 2005
  18. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    I don't mind the practice, seen it once and it was very moving. I would not consider it to be a church ordinace as do some baptist groups, and ana-baptist groups.
     
    #18 go2church, Feb 21, 2005
  19. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    ...saw it once (not seen it once)
     
    #19 go2church, Feb 21, 2005
  20. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    Yes, I have taken part in footwashing before. But it was a special event, during a marriage seminar.

    Jesus did not wash the feet of the disciples to set it up as an ordinence of some sort. He debased Himself to the lowest position to show His followers than none of them, who were His followers, were above debasing themselves in the same manner. but they didn't go around washing everybody's feet!

    Geesh!

    In Christ,
    Trotter

    [edited for spelling [​IMG] ]
     
    #20 Trotter, Feb 21, 2005
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