The ordinance of feet washing is not generally as accepted a the Lord’s Supper yet it is equally an ordinance.
· It was delivered by Christ himself John 13:1-7
· Christ dedicated it by example John 13:1-7
· It is an express commandment. John 13:14 (This became a perpetual commandment in Matthew 28:20)
· there is a spiritual benefit to those who practice it. John 13:17.
- Objections to feet washing considered.
· The word of Christ is “ought” and not “must”. To say the least, this is an express commandment thoroughly revealing the will of Christ. A Christian cannot truly love God without doing his will. John 14:23. This word “ought” is used in the strongest possible sense 1 John. 4:11.
· Not really a ordinance but an object lesson. Jesus did not say “an object lesson” but an example.
· It was just an oriental custom. With the exception of the wealthy, Asians did not wash one another feet. The very fact that Peter was dumbfounded proves that washing one another’s feet was not the custom.
· It is not mentioned enough in the bible one may say well what about the new birth, the Lord’s Supper? Is not one text of truth as valid as a hundred?
· It is too undignified and inconvenient. Did Jesus look dignified hanging on the cross? Conveniences to Jesus and His followers have never been too abundant.
- The early church practiced feet washing 1 Timothy