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The question for consideration is, "Why the true Church of Christ does not wash feet in the worship service?" There is no Bible authority for washing feet in Church worship. There is not one record of foot washing being done in the early Church as worship. Let us examine some of the scriptures that are relied upon to prove that we are not to wash feet in Church worship. There has arose a contention among the disciples to who should be the greatest in the kingdom and Jesus taught them a lesson of humility by giving them an example. He was their Lord and Master and He washed their feet to show them, or teach them, if they would be great, that they must humble themselves and become servants of all (Luke 22:24-27, Luke 9:46, Mark 9:34, John 13:13-16). Peter said unto the Lord, "Thou shalt never wash my feet," Why, he simply meant that if you refuse to allow Me to wash your feet, you will have no part with Me in this great lesson of humility that I am teaching. The context of the lesson of foot washing in John chapter 13 teaches that Peter was about to hinder a great lesson of humility that Christ was teaching His disciples. Christ told him, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me." Peter then said, "Lord not my feet only, but also my hands, and my head." It is well to note that the foot washing took place before the Church was established, and there is not one record of foot washing in the Church. Christ hadn't died at the time He washed the disciples feet; it took place before the will became of force; the new will did not become into effect until after Christ's death (Heb. 9:16-17). This event (foot washing) took place under the Old Law. The Old Law was not | taken out of the way or abolished until Christ died (Col. 2:14; Eph. 2:15). Those who wash feet in the Church today don't know whether they are doing it the right way or not. If people would read and study the Bible with an open mind and a honest heart, they could see the errors of their ways. You will not find anyone that can give you a good reason for washing feet in worship service. They surely don't wash them to clean them, because no one goes around with dirty feet when they have foot washing. What purpose do they wash them? According to the history of washing feet, it was a custom to wash their feet upon entering a house, to clean them. We have one example of washing feet after the Church was established, and it shows that it was an act to take place in the home, and not in the worship in the Church (1 Tim. 5:9-10). We are commanded not to go beyond the teaching of the Lord. Feet washers should go home and wash their feet, instead of washing them in the Church worship. Jesus was simply teaching the disciples a lesson of humility by washing their feet. In 1 Cor. 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order." Many people go around saying how they love Jesus but refuse to obey Him and keep His commandments (Matt. 7:21-23). The true Christians will follow the ways of the Lord and abide in His teachings. Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). The fact that we all shall be judged by the Scriptures also demonstrates that God expects us to understand, believe and obey them. "The Judge is standing at the door" (James 5:9). If you have a Bible question or comment, please write Randall Phipps at Clintwood Church of Christ, P.O. Box 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228. Our web address is clintwoodchurchofchrist.com |