Foot washing

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by big-larry

"God resisteth the proud, but giveth GRACE to the humble". (Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5; Pro 3:34; Mat 23:12)

If you want more GRACE, if you want to be lifted up by God, then humble yourself. Footwashing is a very humbling act. I believe you can reap many benefits from both Footwashing and Communion. I received healing from cancer in 1989, after receiving Communion.


Do I believe a person can got to heaven if he doesn't do either?

Yes, absolutely, in fact he may even get there sooner.

I know for a fact footwashing doesn't automatically mean humility.

Anyone who washes their feet at home 30 minutes before the footwashing service cannot say anything about humility...

[Bro-Larry]

I was just pointing out that, "To receive more Grace, you can humble yourself".

So whatever you need to do the humble yourself in the sight of God, that's the the path to more Grace.

[Aquila]

I think it's an example of how we often sacramentalize something meant to teach us a principle of Christian living. I know people who believe in food washing...but any other time of the year they are too good to help a brother or a sister in any other way.

[Carpenter]

I have said this before and I will say it again, I believe you can show humility by washing someone's car, by preferring your brother over yourself without the signature of washing feet.

I do not believe Jesus included the footwashing part in his comments, "...do this as often as you remember."

I also will NOT wash anyone's feet because there has been put yet another salvific stigma, "you can't be saved if you refuse to participate...after all, you have something against your brother if you don't wash his feet, and you cannot be saved if you have something against your brother.

What if I have something against one of the sisters or vice versa (In all honest propriety)...which I am sure a CERTAIN pastor's wife or her daughter would never ever ever come and wash my dogs as a sign of submission, not a man, but to a fellow saint of the most high God. If so, they would be washing feet for a month!

[RandyWayne]

Footwashing.... Another perfect example of a 'principle' being twisted into a religious rule to be performed in churches. Something that is supposed to convey humility is now done because it is required -and the person doing it can now be seen doing it by everyone else around them. "I am a million times more humble then thou art!"

Let me ask this, would being willing to change an elderly persons adult diapers be considered essential to salvation? What about watching their house while they are away? Or mowing their grass or raking leaves? Isn't footwashing meant to highlight thousands of individual acts of humility and kindness?

[Felicity]

Don't care for footwashing myself and it's not because of a lack of humility either.

We can demonstrate humility and servanthood in ways that really count other than going through the 'pseudo humility' exercise of washing feet that have already been washed and cleaned in preparation for the "sacrament" of footwashing.

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Footwashing.... Another perfect example of a 'principle' being twisted into a religious rule to be performed in churches. Something that is supposed to convey humility is now done because it is required -and the person doing it can now be seen doing it by everyone else around them. "I am a million times more humble then thou art!"

Let me ask this, would being willing to change an elderly persons adult diapers be considered essential to salvation? What about watching their house while they are away? Or mowing their grass or raking leaves? Isn't footwashing meant to highlight thousands of individual acts of humility and kindness?

I personally have changed adult diapers. It is better and more humbling than having to wash someone's feet in my book.

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Footwashing.... Another perfect example of a 'principle' being twisted into a religious rule to be performed in churches. Something that is supposed to convey humility is now done because it is required -and the person doing it can now be seen doing it by everyone else around them. "I am a million times more humble then thou art!"

Let me ask this, would being willing to change an elderly persons adult diapers be considered essential to salvation? What about watching their house while they are away? Or mowing their grass or raking leaves? Isn't footwashing meant to highlight thousands of individual acts of humility and kindness?

The bolded part says it all. I was thinking about Mary, when she anointed the feet of Jesus with oil and dried them with her hair. It wasn't the act of obeying a rule that is worthy of note. It is the willingness of heart to place herself in the position of a servant that we should note. Jesus clearly said
Jhn 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Jesus used footwashing as an example of being willing to submit to one another and to love one another. He didn't mean it as an ordinace that must be followed to a "T". If that were the case, it would have to be done EXACTLY like Jesus did it. And at the same time of the year that He did it. But we don't have that information. Kinda like Communion...if it was meant as an absolute rule and as a pattern for us to follow, wouldn't it need to be done in the same manner, and at the same time, Jesus did it? Wouldn't we have to use one cup for all to drink out of, just as Jesus did?

If Communion and Footwashing are absolute rules that MUST be obeyed, then they must be obeyed to the Letter. Can any one show that they observe these handwritten ordinaces to the LETTER, with absolutely no diviation from the pattern laid down by Jesus? I have nothing against footwashing and Communion. I believe they are a part of NT teaching. But I do not believe a person will be lost if they choose not to participate. Just another example of trying to sqeeze a round peg into a square hole. You can do it, but you'll have to trim off the edges some. Which, unless the EXACT pattern of Communion and Footwashing is followed, is precisely what we are doing. Changing Gods pattern. I guess its okay to bend a rule... just don't break it.

[Felicity]

To me, footwashing is different than Communion because footwashing was a part of the culture of that day. Not saying that we shouldn't do it because it's not a part of our culture -- just distinguishing between the two things.

I've practiced servanthood in ways that are practical and real and I've had to submit myself to people for most of my adult life. To me, footwashing is irrelevant and unnecessary, but do it if you feel it's necessary and if it is a blessing to you or to someone else.