FEET WASHING

  1. History (an Eastern custom – not a religious observance; needed because of dusty roads and sandals)
    1. An act of hospitality --- especially for guests
    1. Abraham --- Gen. 18:4
    2. Abigail --- I Samuel 25:41

             B.    Some neglected this customary service to their shame.

    1. Simon --- Luke 7:44-47
    2. The disciples – John 13:4-17

             C.    Feet- washing is mentioned only once in scripture after the
                    church was established, and it had nothing to do with a
                    church service or assembly. I Tim. 5:10 deals with duties in
                    the home.

     II.   Is "feet- washing" to be observed by the church when we have the 
           Lord’s Supper? NO!
    1. Matt. 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and I Cor. 11 all tell of the institution of the Lord’s Supper, and there is no mention of washing feet.
    2. There are several passages of scripture that refer to the church’s observance of the Lord’s Supper, but none that mention washing feet in the church. (See Acts 2:42; 20:7;I Cor. 10:16; 11:20-30).

      III.  Why did Jesus wash the disciples’ feet in John 13?
    1. Jesus did the duty of the lowest servant in his day, according to their customs … a job none of the disciples was willing to do.
    2. It was an "example" of love, humility, and service.
    3. In John 13:15 Jesus says "do as I have done" --- not "what" I have done.
    4. Disciples of Jesus should be willing to do the lowest service because of their love and humility.

      IV.  The apostles of Christ were guided into all truth, and they never
            mentioned a practice of "feet -washing" in a church assembly.

Conclusion: We must not bind on the church, anything that has not been bound by the Lord or His apostles. But the principles of love, humility, and service will always be characteristics of true disciples of Christ.