The Roman Catholic Church has seven sacraments which include baptism, confirmation, the Lord’s Supper, penance, extreme unction, holy orders, and matrimony. Most Baptist churches only observe two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Some such as the Grace Brethren observe a third ordinance of foot washing based on Jesus command in John 13:14: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” I have heard it argued that foot washing cannot be an ordinance for the New Testament church because it is not repeated in the Epistles. Foot washing, however, is mentioned in the Epistles in reference to widows worthy of support in 1 Timothy 5:10. About these widows it is said that they “have washed the saints feet.” In 1 Timothy 5, Paul is not talking about the observance of an ordinance but the qualification of widows for help from the local church.
The argument against foot washing being an ordinance must come from the text of John 13. More than instituting another ordinance, Christ was setting an example of humility for the proud disciples who were arguing at the Last Supper, “which of them should be accounted the greatest.” Christ rebuked His arguing disciples by saying, “For whether is greater, he that sits at meat, or he that serves? Is not he that sits meant? But I am among you as he that serves.”
Christ’s disciples apparently they were unwilling to wash each other’s feet because of pride at the Last Passover (Luke 22:24-27). Christ, who humbled Himself as Phil. 2:5-10 teaches and added to His form of God the form of a servant, washed His disciples’ feet as an example of humility. This example of humility was never forgotten by one of the disciples whose feet Jesus washed. Later the Peter would pass the example of humility learned at the Last Passover to others in 1 Peter 5:5: “Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” Peter never mentioned foot washing as an ordinance and 1 Peter 5:5 would have been the perfect time and place to do so.
“Only in the most general way does our Lord’s washing of his disciples’ feet signify his redemptive activity. It is much more likely that his washing of his disciples was intended as an example of humility to teach them (and us) that Christians should be ready, in lifelong service to him, to perform the most menial service for others” (Robert Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, page 920).
It is more than evident through the context of John 13 alone that the example that Jesus set and expected His disciples to follow was one of humility. Like Dr. White said, add in the fact that the epistles make no mention of foot-washing (other than the qualifications of widows receiving help) and the evidence is clearly in support of not having foot-washing as an ordinance of the church.
To address 1 Tim. 5.10 – Paul is giving a list of “good things” that a widow must be engaged in and known for to be put on the “widow’s list.” A widow must be known for good deeds such as, “bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.” Paul is giving a list of things widows should be practicing, if foot-washing is to be a church ordinance, then it is necessary to make bringing up children, showing hospitality, helping those in trouble, etc. as church ordinances as well.
I’ve never seen foot washing as an active ordinance in the church. I have however, been a part of a foot washing service at my old church our youth pastor prayed over us individually, then came and washed our feet. It was so powerful to see his act of humility. I’ve seen it done in weddings too, and I think it is a great picture of being a servant. But making it an ordinance in a church; I see no Scriptural proof that this was done in the early church.
This is an interesting concept. Foot washing? as an ordinance? I would agree with Caitlin including foot washing in a service to show humility as Christ did is powerful but to place this action as a church ordinance is all but biblical. There is no mention of it in the church as an ordinance, it is simply a great picture of Humility and also a great way to not tick off your friends when coming in their house seeing as how it was part of culture.
I do not believe that foot washing is an ordinance in the church. Scripture does not include anywhere that is to be equaled with baptism and the Lord’s supper. However, I think there is something to be said for the practice. I think we would do well to use foot washing more often as an illustration of humility. Having been a part of a foot washing before, it is not only humbling for the washer, but for the one being washed–the idea that someone would stoop and bow themselves literally that low to be of service is so humbling and makes you want to serve them in as well. I love seeing it done at weddings as a symbol of the commitment to serve one another in marriage. It really is a beautiful illustration and can have a place in the lives of Christians and the Church…just not as an ordinance.
I’m not sure if foot washing should be an ordinance or not, but i do believe we should be ready to humble ourselves enough that we should be prepared to serve in ways we never expected. And you have to be completely humble to be able to wash someone’s feet. This was considered the lowest of the lows. Christ did it, though this would be a very hard service to bare, i believe it could serve as an amazing tool to show our God’s love and humility.
John 13:9-11 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
I believe that the teaching was about the humility of His disciples. They were privaledged individuals that got to walk and talk with our Lord for 3 years. They had not seen this side of Christ, that had put on perfect humility. Even we would have cringed if Christ had tried to wash our feet. A secondary line of thought is also playing out. There is the statement by Peter to wash all of him. Christ stops him and states that he has been fully cleansed, he just needs to knock off the dust of the day. I would say that this refers to our need to ask for daily forgiveness of sins and shortcomings. Even though we are Christians we need forgiveness from occasional sins.
Honestly, I cannot truly see the benefit of having foot washing be an ordinance within the church. I do see it as a humbling experience, but not something that the church would necessarily need to experience as a congregational ordinance on an ongoing basis. I think that it is extremely important for us to experience humility in multiple ways within the church, as well as within our Christian lives, but am not certain that such an act could teach humility in this day and age.
It is much more likely that his washing of his disciples was intended as an example of humility to teach them (and us) that Christians should be ready, in lifelong service to him, to perform the most menial service for others” (Robert Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, page 920).
I like this quote, because it seems to relate to what I think Christ meant by performing this act of humility. I believe the Lord wnated to show His disciples what God really expets from His servants:humility. Without humility, God is not pleased with our sevrice, because if we are not humble we demonstarte the worng kind of heart, which is pride. The disciples wee looking for honor from God and they thought the best way was to sit on either side of His throne. However, Jesus confounded them by this humble act of service. I believe this act sets the tone of what the Lord realy desires from us.
“…much more likely that his washing of his disciples was intended as an example of humility to teach them (and us) that Christians should be ready, in lifelong service to him, to perform the most menial service for others” (Robert Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, page 920).
I like the quote of this tehologian concerning footwashing. I do not believe that the Lord meant for footwashing to be an ordinance of the church. I do believe that this humble act of Christ was simply a lesson for his disciples who did not always show a heart of humility. Our Lord wanted to demonstrate to them just how important humility was in the sight of the Father. If the Lord meant for this to be an ordinance of the church, would He not have emphatically stated so?
Foot washing is a great symbol of humility and Christian love toward others. Although is not an ordinance at Christ commanded, it is an act that Christ did and therefore it should be something at we do in the church. With that I mean in know way to make it an ordinance, but I do feel it is a great symbol of humility and great way to show someone that you are serious about your commitments.
For example when I was the president of the youth group, we organized a foot washing evening. It was so powerful to see people forgive others and humble themselves. It was a much-needed evening for the whole group. Lives were change and people were forgiven.
I think that a case can easily be made for the existence of foot-washing as an ordinance. Saying that it cannot be an ordinance because it isn’t mentioned in the epistles is not a strong point at all. That is an arbitrary standard set by man and not by God. Some of our doctrines (like the Trinity, and regeneration) are mentioned very scarcely in the Bible, so it wouldn’t seem much of a stretch to say that even though Jesus only commanded us one time to wash each others’ feet, that we should take him at his word. I don’t think it is a shut-out case either way, but I am curious as to why this isn’t debated more hotly.
I like the way Justin put it as a great picture of humility. My pastor did that one of his first Sundays after taking on at this current church and it was the first time I had ever seen that in a service. It blew me away! But again, it is just a picture of humility and a great example to follow but never recognized in scripture as an ordinance.