Scripture regarding Foot Washings?

Barb · #1 02-17-2007, 11:03 AM

If so, ignore me with my permission.

I am wondering, does anyone have proof, be it Scripture or Church historical letters/documents that the early Church practiced Foot Washing?

Was it a rite ordained by Christ and followed by the Saints of old, or have we taken an incident in the Bible and made it common practice?!

whollyHis · #2 02-17-2007, 11:33 AM

Barb...when I was about 19 years old, I asked this question of my dad- he was a UPCI licensed evangelist- he could give me no example of the CHURCH doing this. He suggested that I ask my pastor the question. I did. Wrong thing to do. He told me I was being proud and a tiny bit contentious. Maybe if I had myself a good prayer meeting, I might not worry about the 'WHYS' so much...after all, obedience IS better than sacrifice...*sigh*

Thanks for asking this...

Barb · #3 02-17-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whollyHis

Barb...when I was about 19 years old, I asked this question of my dad- he was a UPCI licensed evangelist- he could give me no example of the CHURCH doing this. He suggested that I ask my pastor the question. I did. Wrong thing to do. He told me I was being proud and a tiny bit contentious. Maybe if I had myself a good prayer meeting, I might not worry about the 'WHYS' so much...after all, obedience IS better than sacrifice...*sigh*

Thanks for asking this...

It must be indeed a silly question or one for which there is no sound answer...thanks, WH...

Sherri · #4 02-17-2007, 11:59 AM

We don't do it, but I'm not against it. I remember some of those old foot washing services when I was a kid. I never really got anything out of it, but some did.

freeatlast · #5 02-17-2007, 12:08 PM

My thoughts Barb is that it is an example of humble service. We should practice acts of humble service, the greater serving the lesser.

Today my feet are not dirty and the practice of footwashing by our culture has long since ceased.

You can see in the word mentions of footwashing in Genesis. Much like parapets on roofs, times have changed and we don't see the need to build railings on our roofs anymore.

The subject has been argued on fcf and nfcf till I thought sure the cows would come home.

Some believe it is a command that we must follow or our soul will surely be lost.

I think that view is all wet. Wet feet and all.

Hope you find the answer you are looking for.

Esther · #6 02-17-2007, 12:16 PM

Barb, I have never figures out how we can NOT do foot washing when Jesus clearly told the deciples this OUGHT you to do.

In fact, when Peter told Him not to wash his feet, Jesus told Peter if he didn't wash his feet he would have no part with Him. (paraphrased)

With that kind of emphasis being made how can we NOT do it???

YET, there are things that we do not do where there is no scripture that says one way or the other.

My question is IF Communion is continued then why not foot washing? Were they not done at the same time?

Where they not equally important?

I think we have become too proud to wash one anothers feet. And PRIDE WILL bring us down.

Barb · #7 02-17-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

Barb, I have never figures out how we can NOT do foot washing when Jesus clearly told the deciples this OUGHT you to do.

In fact, when Peter told Him not to wash his feet, Jesus told Peter if he didn't wash his feet he would have no part with Him. (paraphrased)

With that kind of emphasis being made how can we NOT do it???

YET, there are things that we do not do where there is no scripture that says one way or the other.

My question is IF Communion is continued then why not foot washing? Were they not done at the same time?

Where they not equally important?

I think we have become too proud to wash one anothers feet. And PRIDE WILL bring us down.

I mentioned that very Scripture to my mom this morning when we were out and about. It is my understanding/belief that Jesus was speaking directly to Peter..."If you refuse to wash my feet, you have no part with me."

It is not pride that makes me feel this way...I simply do not believe that this is a mandate that if I don't do it, I have no part with Him. Does that mean then that my salvation is null and void? Am I going to be kept out of that Pearly White City because I don't wash feet?

Re Communion, Jesus said ,"As oft as you do this..." In other words, continue...I don't see this with Foot Washing, but I am NOT contentious. If it can be proven that it is a rite set forth by the Master, great...I will comply.

Esther · #8 02-17-2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb

I mentioned that very Scripture to my mom this morning when we were out and about. It is my understanding/belief that Jesus was speaking directly to Peter..."If you refuse to wash my feet, you have no part with me."

It is not pride that makes me feel this way...I simply do not believe that this is a mandate that if I don't do it, I have no part with Him. Does that mean then that my salvation is null and void? Am I going to be kept out of that Pearly White City because I don't wash feet?

Re Communion, Jesus said ,"As oft as you do this..." In other words, continue...I don't see this with Foot Washing, but I am NOT contentious. If it can be proven that it is a rite set forth by the Master, great...I will comply.

Then what do you think Jesus meant when he said "this OUGHT you to do"?

To me if Jesus tells me I ought (should) do something, I would think I should do it.

But that is just me.

Barb · #9 02-17-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

Then what do you think Jesus meant when he said "this OUGHT you to do"?

To me if Jesus tells me I ought (should) do something, I would think I should do it.

But that is just me.

Well, hon, Remington put the Word on me, so now I am convinced. I've read that verse a zillion times and forgot it was in there...oi...

As for what we ought to do, again some things were for a specific time or person/persons...I never took Foot Washing to be something we HAD to do.

But, it's in the epistles, so...

freeatlast · #10 02-17-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

Barb, I have never figures out how we can NOT do foot washing when Jesus clearly told the deciples this OUGHT you to do.

In fact, when Peter told Him not to wash his feet, Jesus told Peter if he didn't wash his feet he would have no part with Him. (paraphrased)

With that kind of emphasis being made how can we NOT do it???

YET, there are things that we do not do where there is no scripture that says one way or the other.

My question is IF Communion is continued then why not foot washing? Were they not done at the same time?

Where they not equally important?

I think we have become too proud to wash one anothers feet. And PRIDE WILL bring us down.

A thimball a grape juice and tiny piece of cracker ? I'm not so sure we do quite do communoin or the Lord's Supper as the early apostolic did.

As far as Peter having no part with the Lord if he if he did not allowed to wash him. The washing refered to was a cleansing of his soul by the blood, not a foot washing.

As far as being told we are to do unto each other as he did. Again humble service of the greater to the lesser is implied here. Not necesarily footwashing forever in the 21st century.

Footwashing was a common practice among Jews and others alike in Bible times. It was not something that was of religeous signifagance.

To make it a salvational issue... I can't quite fathom that.

If it is, then how many times does one have to wash feet to make it to heaven?

Is once enough...10 times enough??