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Post by Brother Ben on Apr 13, 2005 7:52:35 GMT -5
From the Mennonite Confession:
What I'd like to ask is how many of you have been included in a Foot Washing, how was it done, and how did it affect you.
Bro. Ben
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Post by Sojourner on Apr 13, 2005 13:53:20 GMT -5
Bro Ben,
Although i think i have posted this elsewhere, i'll go ahead and placde it here too.
I have never participated in a foot washing service, but that is something i am very interested in doing for the deacons here. I have not had the opportunity to do it thus far, and i may wait until the new church year to get things going in the right direction when that time comes.
If and when we do it, i will make sure to let you all know.
in HIS grip
Bro Bobby
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Post by rejoice on Jul 20, 2005 16:49:21 GMT -5
Do you practice this in your church Bro. Ben?
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Post by Brother Ben on Jul 20, 2005 20:53:29 GMT -5
Yes, we do wash feet. We believe the scripture teaches we should do it. I have heard the arguements that Jesus was only teaching that we need to have a servent attitude, which I agree, but he also said, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 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. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." John 13:15-17 I do not think this is an ordinance like the Mennonite church teaches, but i believe it is a "grace act" outlined for us in scripture. Someone said, they didn't think we should practice it because Paul didn't address it in his epistles, but Paul didn't address every N.T. practice. He addressed head covering, and people explain it away. I see foot washing as a valid N.T. teaching, and if someone does not teach it, I don't think it should be made into an issue of division.
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Post by rejoice on Jul 21, 2005 3:17:32 GMT -5
Dear Bro. Ben,
When our family was attending a Southern Baptist church in Germany, the pastor did a "foot washing" service. It was more symbolical than anything else. He girded himself with a towel and went around to the whole congregation (which were all seated in a circle), males and females and just sprinkled water on their feet and dried them. He quoted the Scripture in John while doing this and afterwards he gave everyone a towel with the Scipture reference on it. It was very beautiful and the first time I had ever experienced this type of thing.
I did observe a Mennonite foot washing service as well, a little over a year ago. I could not partake, because I was not a member. I was only visiting a friend. It was very lovely the way it was done though. The women went to one room while the men stayed in the sanctuary. I really enjoyed watching everything and also paying close attention to the "love" that was shown by so many. Because I was able to just watch, I noticed much of what was going on "behind the scenes". I watched the eye contact, the way each washed, whether it was fast and "check the block" or loving and gentle. You can see what is really in one's heart if you just observe a foot washing service. It is very revealing in my opinion.
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Post by Brother Ben on Jul 21, 2005 7:47:37 GMT -5
NOTE: This is a repost of an earlier question a brother asked me on this very subject. When I was still in Texas, 88-96, I talked to some Christians who were associated with the Grace Brethren churches. They were pleasant believers and had some excellent literature. As I started reading their doctrinal statement, I noticed they washed feet. This was intriguing to me. I always kept that in the back of my mind. Seven years later Darlene and I began fellowshipping with a church up in the country here and we were invited to the Lord's Supper and foot washing in the evening service. We gathered into the auditorium and began singing these beautiful songs about, the blood, and the broken body of Christ, and salvation and the glory of it's purchase. Soon they broke bread and passed the cup (at that time they used a common cup, but they eventually changed to little individual cups to avoid spreading sickness.) After the Lord's Supper, the men and women separated. The ladies gathered in the back of the auditorium and the men went to a class room. We sat down in a big circle and their were two #2 wash basins and a stack of towels. The ladies began singing and it was such a heavenly sound listening to them. Without word or signal one of the brothers got up, crossed the room, and asked another brother, "May I wash your feet?" The two walked over to the basin (everyone has slipped off their shoes and socks by now.) The one brother sat and the other brother washed his feet, giving him kind words of encouragement and perhaps a prayer. I even saw two brothers who had a disagreement make things right. As one finished the other sat and had his feet washed. Afterward the seated brother would arise, embrace his brother, kiss him squarely on the cheek, and they would return to their seats. I watched as everyone washed his brothers feet and finished with a kiss of Christian charity. I am stirred as I write this remembering the sweetness and freshness of actually N.T. Christian love and grace being displayed right before my very eyes. I now see that this is a clear teaching in scripture. If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 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. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John 13:14-17I hope this post well encourage some of you brethren to begin practicing this beautiful N.T. picture of the serventhood and tender love of Christ You can read Darlene's observations at the following post (it's sweet and good!) coveredbaptists.proboards31.com/index.cgi?board=brethren&action=display&thread=1100632742THIS LINK IS CURRENTLY INVALID, BUT WE WILL TRY TO RECOVER THIS, IT IS REAL GOOD.Christ be glorified in the church! Bro. Ben |
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