Feet Washing

FEETWASHING

Jesus also instituted the ordinance of feetwashing. Many exclude this ordinance as not being necessary to practice, however, the scriptures say otherwise. Jesus, after the Passover supper was ended, arose from supper, ‘laid aside his garments and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith  he  was girded’ [John 13:2-17] He teaches that it was a test of fellowship in that he told Peter, ‘…if  I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” He explains that it has nothing to do with the Old Testament custom of offering a basin of water to a traveler to was his own feet; but that he was establishing something that he wanted them to practice after he ascended to heaven. He says ‘If I therefore, your Lord and master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet’. The word “ought”, carries the weight of a command. In conclusion he says, ‘if you know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.’