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QUESTION: One Sunday evening two men in our congregation put a “feet washing.” Is it right to do this as part of the worship service?

ANSWER: No! There is neither scripture nor precedent for doing so in God’s Word. As an item of worship, it began in the fourth century by the apostate church. Jesus made the statement after washing His disciple’s feet “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you.” In saying this, He was not instituting an act of worship. He was simply teaching individuals by His example that we should, with humility, submit to one another. It was the custom at that time because of the common footwear and the dusty conditions to wash the feet of those entering one’s dwelling-place. Jesus used this particular custom (perhaps because there was no host present) to teach His disciples for all time not to exalt themselves, but to humbly adopt an attitude of servanthood to each other and to God! To add this practice, or any other, as an item of worship to God is to presumptuously sin against Him (Psalms 19:13)! It is vain worship (Matthew 15:9)! It is to preach another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9)! It is to add to God’s Word (Revelation 22:18)!


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