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.
Feet Washing
Discussion in 'Polls Forum' started by Bro. James Reed, Feb 20, 2005.
?
-
Yes
100.0% -
No
0 vote(s)0.0%
Page 1 of 2
-
-
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 -
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. -
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. -
-
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. ;) -
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?
-
I am constantly amazed at how those who want to take the Bible literally refuse to wash feet. Simnply boggles my mind.
-
Scarlett O. ModeratorModerator
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. -
-
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. -
-
gb, do you mock what Jesus did?
-
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.
-
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! -
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. -
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. -
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.
-
...saw it once (not seen it once)
-
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 ]
Page 1 of 2