342 – The Doctrine of Foot Washing in the Church

SEMESTER 3

342 – The Doctrine of Foot Washing in the Church

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY III LESSON # 42
THE DOCTRINE OF FOOT WASHING IN THE CHURCH

Read Jn. 13:1-17, I Tim. 5:9-10, Lk. 7:36-50.

INTRODUCTION:

1. It is held in essentially all churches, which claim biblical foundation, that there are two ordinances of the church, baptism and the Lord’s Table.
2. There are, however, a limited number within Christendom, who hold just as firmly that foot washing (as a ceremony) is an ordinance of equal importance.
3. The above Scriptures are all the New Testament has to say about foot washing, let us see what these Scriptures teach.

I. THE NATURE OF A CHURCH ORDINANCE

1. It testifies of the work of Christ, not what we are and do, but what Christ was and did.
2. Christ’s act of foot washing was not a necessary action on His part, but an example for their action. (Jn. 13:12-15)
3. The church ordinances testify of the death and/or burial and resurrection of Christ.
4. They both have to do very particularly with the sacrificial offering of His body unto death.
5. Foot washing just does not fit into this mold, so far as its nature is concerned.

II. THE NATURE OF FOOT WASHING

1. It is the ministering of a physical (not a spiritual) need.

III: The boyhood days of “Saturday baths” included nightly foot washing.

2. It was a demonstration of the acclaimed relationship between the washer and the washed.

i. A person can wash his own feet as necessity dictates.
ii. But this is done for an honored guest or loved friend.
iii. It states the humility and voluntary servitude of the person who, motivated by love or reverence, does the washing.

III. CAN IT BE DESCRIBED AS WORSHIP

1. If we could wash Christ’s feet as an act of worship, it might so qualify, but it cannot be done.
2. It is rather to be categorized and described as service not worship.
3. Conversely, the ordinances, i.e., baptism and the Lord’s Table are among the highest forms of worship
4. We must, therefore, conclude that whatever foot washing is, it is not by nature either a church ordinance or like a church ordinance.

IV. THE MEANING OF THIS PERSONAL CONDUCT THEN AND NOW

1. It was an example, teaching Christians to seek a place of service, not lordship.
2. It shows us that the very mark of divine exaltation is voluntary condescension to service.
3. It then ministered to a most common and affordable need of the human body.
4. It was thus categorized with good works, child rearing, lodging travelers, relieving the afflicted, etc.
5. The question then arises, would it have that meaning and would it so minister and serve today? No, because:

i. Our shoes and our mode of travel differs.
ii. With modern plumbing and daily baths, our feet are normally clean.
iii. The washing of feet, (apart from the rest of the body) is not a normal function of today and thus would be no service per­formed.
iv. It would thus become an empty formality, as burdensome to the washed as the washer.

V. THE CUSTOM IS OBSOLETE, BUT THE SPIRIT SHOULD LIVE

1. We should publicly demonstrate our adoration for Christ and joy in serving Him. (Lk. 7:44-46)
2. We should always think more highly of others than ourselves. (Jn. 13:13, 14)
3. We should see ourselves as servants, not seek exalted positions where we are served. (Jn. 13:15, 16)
4. If we have the spirit of this passage, and would follow this example of Christ, let us take up His towel and find a brother to whose need we may minister.