The Ordinance of Foot Washing

[rockytopva]

I have thought... Since E=mc2... Therefore m (mass) = energy (E/c2)... That there are three forms... Or as Plato called them... Three children of "The Good (God the Father)"...

Natural E/c2 = Mass - Cooled plasma - That which has weight.
Intellectual E/c2 = Intelligence - Our mind can produce energy and light.
Spiritual E / c2 = Energy (motivation, love) / c2 (faith, hope, charity, joy, etc.)

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. - Isaiah 14

I have often thought that Lucifer himself is the father of a new brand of spiritual light, and that is of arrogance. But, since this is not true light there is no energy associated with it. Therefore the ends are always cold.

It seems that established denominations can be the most arrogant. It seems that the longer they are on planet Earth, the more arrogant they become. It eventually becomes needed for those seeking true light and energy to rebel from the establishment and go the way the true energy and light would have them to go, which is the direction of the Holy Spirit.

I think that the ordinance of Foot Washing is absolutely necessary. If this is not doctrinally enforced, some generation down the line will simply snub at the idea and quit having them.

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? - James 4:1

Another thought on false light, or arrogance, is that if it were allowed in heaven it would not be long before a second rebellion would take place. I think this is why satan labors so hard in making religious folk arrogant. He would like nothing more to sew discord in the human heart, and for that discord to trigger another time of trouble like the one he instigated.

 

[Rev Randy]

In the N.T. times people washed their feet because they were dirty from travel. Things have changed and our feet don't get dirty and need washed. Our feet get washed when we bathe and shower. This is not an ordinance that applies to our modern lives. Christ doesn't expect us to go around washing clean feet just to fulfill an ordinance. That is a work of the flesh. Churches that practice foot washing in these modern times of clean feet are downright weird.

Now show me a group that washes feet because the are dirty feet. Do you really think Christ was washing their feet because they had dirty feet? I mean Christ was about to die. He'd just taught Communion and got up from that table, removed his vestment, leaving him to appear as a servant, and became a servant.
So think about this a moment: Did He pass the Bread and Cup because they needed earthly food?
Without a doubt this washing of feet was common in those days. But what Christ did was not common at all. The Master became the slave in service to those he had rule over.

What, if anything , is lost in it today by those doing this is the fact that they wash their own feet before showing up for this. Perhaps if we stepped in some sheep, goat and camel dung first, it would better remind us of where we have been.

Jesus clearly told them that they should do this one to another. So how would you modernize it?

 

[Rev Randy]

I have thought... Since E=mc2... Therefore m (mass) = energy (E/c2)... That there are three forms... Or as Plato called them... Three children of "The Good (God the Father)"...

Natural E/c2 = Mass - Cooled plasma - That which has weight.
Intellectual E/c2 = Intelligence - Our mind can produce energy and light.
Spiritual E / c2 = Energy (motivation, love) / c2 (faith, hope, charity, joy, etc.)

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. - Isaiah 14

I have often thought that Lucifer himself is the father of a new brand of spiritual light, and that is of arrogance. But, since this is not true light there is no energy associated with it. Therefore the ends are always cold.

It seems that established denominations can be the most arrogant. It seems that the longer they are on planet Earth, the more arrogant they become. It eventually becomes needed for those seeking true light and energy to rebel from the establishment and go the way the true energy and light would have them to go, which is the direction of the Holy Spirit.

I think that the ordinance of Foot Washing is absolutely necessary. If this is not doctrinally enforced, some generation down the line will simply snub at the idea and quit having them.

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? - James 4:1

Another thought on false light, or arrogance, is that if it were allowed in heaven it would not be long before a second rebellion would take place. I think this is why satan labors so hard in making religious folk arrogant. He would like nothing more to sew discord in the human heart, and for that discord to trigger another time of trouble like the one he instigated.

rockytopva does the math. reps your way.

 

[CityOfGod]

Do you really think Christ was washing their feet because they had dirty feet?

In N.T. times they used to wash their feet because they got dirty from walking.

We don't need to do this these days so foot washing does not apply.

 

[rockytopva]

In N.T. times they used to wash their feet because they got dirty from walking.

We don't need to do this these days so foot washing does not apply.

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. - John 13


There was a spiritual message that you are missing here.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I have a problem with the concept of "ordinances" in general. I see the New Covenant as being quite different from the Obsolete Covenant in many ways, not the least being a departure from rituals and symbolism. Accordingly, I have questions about "Communion," more questions about "baptism," and even more about "foot washing."

As occasional practices in the context of teaching sessions about First Century cultures, I'd have no problem with any of them. But "ordinances" are by definition "laws," and as such are contradictory to the heart of the New Covenant.

What about things like Scripture reading, prayers, and hymns? These are rituals, traditions, etc as well.

I tend to find anti-ritualism to be rather arbitrary and silly. As though rituals are innately legalistic and repressive--when they aren't. The Sacraments are given to us not to hold us down, but to lift us up. The Word is preached, not to hold us down, but to lift us up.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[CityOfGod]

There was a spiritual message that you are missing here.

No, I get the spiritual message.

It's just that foot washing isn't something we do today because people aren't walking around getting their feet dirty.

There are other ways that we can serve others today.

 

[Eseven]

Detox Foot Soak - YouTube

 

[MoreCoffee]

But it isn't 'a toxic world' and no foot wash is going to 'suck the toxins right out of your body through your toes!' Toxins in the body are mainly produced by the body and are removed from the body in urine and faeces after being isolated by the liver and kidneys. This whole 'detox' industry is just a scam. And it has pretty much nothing to do with ritual foot washing.

Detox Foot Soak - YouTube

 

[NorrinRadd]

What about things like Scripture reading, prayers, and hymns? These are rituals, traditions, etc as well.

...

Perhaps you see them as such because you are Lutheran. Lutheranism is, relatively speaking, ritualistic and traditional.

For me, prayer is not ritualistic rote recitation. It is spontaneous "talking to God" and listening to Him.

For me, singing (hymns, psalms, whatever) is not ritual, it is from-the-heart worship and praise.

For me, Scripture reading is not ritual or tradition, it is actively seeking to learn about God from God.

 

[NorrinRadd]

Did Christ command a hairstyle? Did he show us the proper one?

Why do you take the apparent commands of Paul as less binding and universal than the foot-washing teaching of Jesus?

 

[Eseven]

But it isn't 'a toxic world' and no foot wash is going to 'suck the toxins right out of your body through your toes!' Toxins in the body are mainly produced by the body and are removed from the body in urine and faeces after being isolated by the liver and kidneys. This whole 'detox' industry is just a scam. And it has pretty much nothing to do with ritual foot washing.

Yes maybe so, i cant say, but my point is that our feet do get dirty, those toxins settle in the feet and do come out by themselves.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Perhaps you see them as such because you are Lutheran. Lutheranism is, relatively speaking, ritualistic and traditional.

For me, prayer is not ritualistic rote recitation. It is spontaneous "talking to God" and listening to Him.

For me, singing (hymns, psalms, whatever) is not ritual, it is from-the-heart worship and praise.

For me, Scripture reading is not ritual or tradition, it is actively seeking to learn about God from God.

So when I go up to take the bread and drink the cup, it's not a ritual or tradition, it is just receiving the true body and blood of Christ.

When I pray the Our Father, it's not a ritual or tradition, it is just sincere prayer in unison with the rest of God's People.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[rockytopva]

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. - Proverbs 8:13

One important virtue of the foot washing is it tends to cleanse away the evil, pride, and arrogancy from the heart of man.

 

[MoreCoffee]

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. - Proverbs 8:13

One important virtue of the foot washing is it tends to cleanse away the evil, pride, and arrogancy from the heart of man.

Do you believe that it really does that; considering the groups that engage in it is the evidence in favour of it cleansing away evil, pride, and arrogance from the heart of those who participate?

 

[rockytopva]

Do you believe that it really does that; considering the groups that engage in it is the evidence in favour of it cleansing away evil, pride, and arrogance from the heart of those who participate?

6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. - Matthew 13


I have never met anyone who has participated in a footwashing, that has not admitted to it with a smile and a twinkle in their eye.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Do you believe that it really does that; considering the groups that engage in it is the evidence in favour of it cleansing away evil, pride, and arrogance from the heart of those who participate?

6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. - Matthew 13


I have never met anyone who has participated in a footwashing, that has not admitted to it with a smile and a twinkle in their eye.

Is a smile and a twinkle in the eye the same thing as 'cleansing away evil, pride, and arrogance from the heart'?

 

[rockytopva]

Is a smile and a twinkle in the eye the same thing as 'cleansing away evil, pride, and arrogance from the heart'?

Let’s see in scripture!

16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men:
18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God.
19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar.
20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him.
21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land. - 2 Chronicles

Uzziah is the form of a Christian who, starting out well, did well and prospered. However, in the old age the heart waxed haughty and was in need of chastening from the Lord. How arrogant was this man?

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. – Isaiah 6:1

King Uzziah was so arrogant that it took him dying away for Isaiah to see the Lord, high and lifted up. This is the way of arrogance, it inhibits the Lords true and good spiritual light from illuminating the darkened corners of mankind.

I know of no better way of killing the old King Uzziah than a good old fashion foot washing. I am a member of the Pentecostal Holiness church. Back a hundred years ago they use to have foot washings. You could see the difference in the character of the people. The people were very tender hearted. The older guys would sit there and weep while people were being laid out in the Spirit. One old gentlemen, when we would make eye contact, would only, with tears running down his cheek, would only point with finger and declare “The Holy Ghost! The Holy Ghost!” while beholding the spectacle around him.

And furthermore, the Holy Spirit himself would speak in the sanctuary. Someone would give out a message in tongues, and then someone else by the selfsame Spirit would interpret that which was spoken. And there was a seven day a week joy about the people.

I wish I could put a good ending to this story. The Holy Spirit basically quit speaking in the sanctuary, there is no more weeping the service, there is political trouble in the church, and the church is became just like any other church on any other corner.

"The Lord seemed to sleep" - Pope Benedict XVI

What happened? It is the spirit of Uzziah! The Lord cannot speak as long as Uzziah is on the thrown! He must be cast out of the temple! God is not sleeping! He just doesn’t care to share the thrown with the arrogant king Uzziah!

That’s where the foot washing comes in. It kills the Uzziah enough for us to see the Lord high and lifted up with his train filling the temple.

References for this post...

Face to Face with God's Grace - Joseph Brown - YouTube

 

[peterlindner]

It is a gesture of humility at the surface. However there is more to it at a deeper level. Jesus focused the attention to the feet. If they are clean then you are clean every whit. In Revelation 1 John is seeing an angel that appears to be godlike. The clue of foot washing was a warning from Jesus to look to the feet. Perhaps black people will appreciate this more since they might be tired of hearing "white as snow" referred to as holy. The sound of many waters and a two edged tongue are clue references back to Pentecost, tongues, and the 42,000 ephraimites that lost their lives over a difference in tongue (shibboleth). Again, Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, David, and Jesus all spoke to God directly. Why would God (after all his warnings about not stopping to talk to angels) not keep his pattern? His ways are patterned verily, verily.

Angel speak is very confusing. God speak is very clear. Listen to the beginning of Joshua to hear God speak. "Every where your foot touches is yours". Angel speak has multiple nations, battles, leaders, abstract concepts that all have to happen first. Then they have the ultimate defense bug...silence in heaven..."Oh great, God must be doing a great work in me I haven't heard from Him in a long time. This must be the silence spoken of."

Rev1:14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

 

[CityOfGod]

People shower today.

It's not like Jesus day when they walked long distance and washed their feet in a basin.

Foot washing is obsolete.

It's like telling someone to hitch up the team then they drive off in their car.

There are other ways that we can serve our brothers that are more applicable to our day.