Have any of you ever went to a foot washing service? Or had teaching on this? I am doing a study and believe that ministering to the body of Christ is to be humble to them. I went to a church that incorporated this along with communion. Are there any churches still participating in this today?
I am studying the last supper, and when god would tell you to take of your sandals, for you are on holy ground. Each times it was to be in the prensence of God, for new revalation, and ministry.
Any comments?
2006-09-02 08:19:40 · 19 answers · asked by 2ndchhapteracts 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I guess that I typed in a way to read that the two instances in the bible were at the same time. I know that they are not, I am doing a study of feet and foundation and service, taking several passages from H.S. leading....
2006-09-02 08:43:10 · update #1
This is one of those funny things that goes on in many evangelical churches. In theory it is suppose to be an act of humility but in many cases it only serves to incite pride. This is because the person who is washing is thinking they are being like Jesus while the ones who are getting their feet washed are the lowly disciples.
Back in my pastor days I had a fellow in the church who wanted to do a feet washing service. He was going to be the washer. I said I’d think about it. Two weeks later I was talking to him and asked if he could help our custodian do some cleaning around the church. I thought he was going to have a stroke. He went on and on about how he was too important to be doing menial work and that custodial work was beneath him.
After his little rant I suggested he have a better understanding of humility before he undertook washing other people feet.
Pabs
2006-09-02 08:34:20 · answer #1 · answered by Pablito 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Most Churches that do foot washings do so on Good Friday! I have been to quite a few foot washing services!
I do not believe that God told anyone at the last supper to take off their sandals because the ground was holy! He did indeed tell Moses at the burning bush to take off his shoes for he was on Holy ground!
2006-09-02 08:39:17 · answer #2 · answered by zoril 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason that foot washing was prevalent in Christ's day and in that part of the world was because of the dusty landscape. People's feet got filthy, and trudging around in people's homes with dirty feet was disrespectful. So there was generally a foot washing basin, and people washed their feet upon entering residences and other buildings.
Any form of service to others is humbling. It need not be foot washing...and I'm not sure that foot washing is exactly appropriate, since its usefulness is mostly defunct in America, in times of great sanitation and easy access to showers and bathtubs.
Serving someone supper is service. Tending to someone's wounds. Any type of service is service.
To answer your question, though: No, I've never been to a foot washing service, and I don't know if there are any churches practicing them.
2006-09-02 08:31:14 · answer #3 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, there are still churches that do foot washing. The Episcopal church washes feet as part of their Maundy Thursday service. In John's Gospel, Jesus washed all the disciples feet, even Judas who in a few hours was going to betray him.
At my church, we take turns washing each other's feet. I have never heard anyone say that helping out around church or the community is beneath their station in life. We all help out, even going down to the local river in frigid temperatures to serve food to the homeless as well as give them bags of hygiene items + socks, hats, gloves, blankets etc. My church knows what servant ministry is because we do it.
2016-03-17 07:13:32 · answer #4 · answered by Deby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have not been to a foot washing service per se, but I have had someone wash my feet as they felt led by the Spirit of God to do so. It is humbling for the person to do that I'm sure, but it was an incredibly humbling experience for me, getting my feet washed. I wasn't expecting it or asking for them to do that. They were simply obeying God.
Foot washing was customary in Bible days because walking was the chief means of transportation and roads consisted mainly of dirt. When you got home in the evening you want to wash your feet as a means of making yourself comfortable, and to relax at home (the closest thing we have to this these days is taking a shower after you have been sweating outside in the heat). For persons that could afford a house servant, they would give this task them. It was for this reason that it was viewed as a subservient act to wash someone else's feet.
As you know, Jesus washed the disciples' feet. Can you image how they must have felt to have the Lord of creation stooping below them to wash their feet? Yet, He didn't do it to make them feel bad, or unworthy. He was leading by example, and showing them the true character and nature of love. Jesus said, "the chiefest among you shall be your servant." He was showing them how a true leader leads through service. We need more of these leaders today!
I think that having a foot washing service just for the heck of doing something different at church is the wrong motivation for doing it. It has to be something that is done with the heart, and that is how it is most effective. I would reserve such a thing for really special occasions. Maybe when instating a new leader or leaders in the church, the pastor could do this, but not for a predictable show in front of the whole congregation. He could gather all the leaders in the church together and wash all of their feet (including the new persons), just as Jesus did. But even then it shouldn't be something that is done often, or religiously. It should be done solemnly and with the intent of preserving its meaning. It should be done with sincerity, and with the heart.
I have never correlated Moses removing his sandals on holy ground with foot washing. But I think there is an inference with physical foot washing and purifying one's spiritual walk. It's just like, "...how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace..." Then of course there is Jesus' feet when he appeared to John in the book of Revelation, which looked like brass burning in a furnace. Again, this is a reference to a pure and holy walk. It's another interesting thread of study that runs throughout the entire Bible! There are so many of these threads, that it is undeniable the Bible is a book inspired by God.
2006-09-02 09:07:31 · answer #5 · answered by firebyknight 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i'm specific various the time human beings did wash their very own feet. And socks hadn't been invented yet. So notwithstanding in case you have been wearing sandals, strolling alongside dusty airborne dirt and dirt roads might make your feet grimy. Washing somebody else's feet grew to become right into a being concerned gesture to show love, humility and hospitality to a distinctive guy or woman.
2016-10-01 05:31:23 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Seventh Day Adventist church incorporates this with their communion service.
The men are in one section and the women in another.
You are right, it is done as a sign of humility. It is a time for soul searching and sharing intimacy with your fellow believers. It is very solemn and a time for introspection.
If you would like more information on this please feel free to contact me.
Your last comment on Holy Gound..... wow that can be an entire study on itself, but I think you are on the right track.
2006-09-02 08:29:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I've seen the ceremony. Jesus ( if there was one) was truly humble. May ministers are not. DOC and Presbyterian Churches still indulge on occasion, and I suppose some Evangelical/Pentecostal churches do as well. So much of it is all for show....ministers like to be liked and noticed. End of comment.
2006-09-02 08:31:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i never thog]ught about this please mail me all info that u get to steve_luv16@yahoo.com
this is the chapter where it happenes
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.[a]
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 NOW THAT YOU NOW THESE THINGS YOU WILL BE BLESSED IF U DO THEM
hope it helps U
2006-09-02 08:36:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Episcopal Church does this during holy week. During the Maundy Thursday service.
2006-09-02 08:27:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋