Foot washing preceded the first communion service. John 13:5-9 says Jesus:
…Poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, Lord, do You wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter. Peter said to Him, Never shall You wash my feet! Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me. Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head
Some denominations have at times washed feet. However, Seventh-day Adventists see foot washing as a permanent worship act and every three months have a foot washing ceremony followed by communion. For three Bible reasons, foot washing has no place in Christian worship. Let’s pause for a moment. Please select subscribe, the thumbs up icon and the notification bell. Thank you for your support.
First, washing feet was necessary in Bible times. Ancients walked on dirt; muddy when wet and dusty when dry. Feet cleansing make them comfortable indoors and kept them from soiling floors and rugs. When God’s son, and not a servant or the disciples themselves, washed their feet, he demonstrated no service, however humble, is beneath any Christian. Jesus said “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Matt 20:28).
Second, other Bible accounts indicate feet were washed for both hospitality and practical reasons. Angels appeared like men to Abraham. The patriarch said “Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree” (Gen. 18:4). Lot told angels who appeared as men “…my Lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may…go on your way” (Gen. 19:2). Abraham sent his chief servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. Gen. 24:32 says, “…Then Laban…gave [the servant]…water to wash his feet and the feet of the men…with him.” Judg. 19 records a traveler and his concubine passing through Gibeah. An old man offered hospitality: “He….gave the donkeys fodder, and they washed their feet” (Judges 19:21). While Jesus dined in a Pharisee’s home, a woman washed his feet out of love and and devotion. Luke 7:38 says, “…she….wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head…kissing His feet, and anointing them.” A poor widow could be supported by the church “…if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work” (1 Tim. 5:10).
Third, not everything Jesus and his Apostles did established an act of worship. Paul instructed Christians in Rome and elsewhere to greet one another with a holy kiss. Even today in some parts of the world, men kiss men and women kiss women as a greeting, corresponding to handshaking in the Western world.
Early Christians worshipped in the temple. Acts 5:42 says, “Every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” After Stephen’s death and the accompanying persecution, “….Those who had been scattered went about preaching the word”(Acts 8:4). Dispersed Christians and their converts worshiped in upper rooms and homes of wealthy believers. Acts 20:8 says, “There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together.” Paul saluted “…Our sister…and to the church in your house” (Philemon 2). That doesn’t mean we must in homes or upper rooms.
CONCLUSION
The Bible reveals Christians under the direction of inspired apostles engaged in five acts of worship. First, saints worshiped by taking communion. Acts 20:7-8 says, “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his 1message until midnight. On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day…” Second, Christians sang. Eph. 5:19 says, “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” Third, they read scriptures (which is sometimes accomplished in sermons). 1Tim. 4:13 commands, “…Give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.” Fourth, saints worshipped by giving. 1 Cor. 16:2 says, “On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper.” Prayer was a fifth act of worship when the church met. 1Tim. 2:8 commands men to pray, “…lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” Evidence is overwhelming that although the holy kiss, foot washing by God’s son no less, and assembling in homes of generous, wealthy Christians were wonderful actions. They did not make the cut as divinely ordained acts of worship.
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