Washing one another's feet

OK, this one is gonna get interesting. I have a brother that will be helping us out with this "one another" from his experiences, but also wanted to relay my own personal story about this. My story is below, and as I edit this, it is with tears of joy and love, remembering the example that was given to me.

This instance of foot washing was most memorable. We had gone to visit some friends that lived far away in the winter here in Maine. On the way to visit, we had gotten lost and slid off the road into a snowbank. After calling to let them know we would be late, they offered to get shovels and come find us, which they did. A good Samaritan pulled us out of the ditch with his truck saving the day, but I will not forget our brothers that drove across town in the terrible weather to help us out. The day did get better from there, as we got unstuck from the snow bank and made it to their home.

This is one of those families that just loves to serve, to take care of you, and truly shows the love of Christ in their lives in so many ways. After dinner, we were reading the Bible together and talked about the verses in 1 Corinthians 7. My wife was sitting next to me and the mother of the family began to take out some warm water, a towel, some fragrant oils, and a basin. She and her adult daughter took off my wife's shoes and began to wash her feet. Sara didn't really know what to think, but definitely felt honored and loved, seeing someone do this most humble and servant-like act for her. I was OK with this whole thing, but still had not processed the full scope of this foot washing.

A few minutes into my wife's foot washing, they asked if they could also wash my feet. Now this is where I got a little more skeptical. Sure, a couple of ladies washing another ladies' feet is fine, but I don't know if I like this. I briefly caught a glimpse of the father's eyes, realizing that not only was this something they would like to do for me, but also quickly remembering when Jesus offered to wash Peter's feet and the fiasco that followed, "no, don't wash me" and "wash me all over" Peter didn't get it, and only now that I am putting this down do I begin to realize the significance in some of this.

So, they washed and scrubbed my feet, gently kneeling before me in the perfect picture of servanthood and love. What blessed fellowship, what pure and undefiled love that strips itself of all that would hinder me from seeing the love of Christ at work. The hardest part for me to grasp as I think of that night is that this was not a new experience for them. They have done it often, modeling a number of those "one another" principles that I have been writing about.

So, then I begin to think of Jesus. I see Him bow before His disciples, stripping Himself of His outer garment and giving this wonderful example of how " he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.. " I see the love and sacrifice, the humility, the complete package of perfection in this act of submission and grace. How can you not love someone who will humble themselves for the simple pleasure of serving another brother or sister in Christ?

I pray that this story has helped some understand that this is not about hygiene, nor is it about slavery or prominence, but rather humble submission before the Lord, serving however the Lord prescribes, we will have joy unspeakable and we will be full of glory. My eyes were seeing this young lady, but I saw Jesus that night! I pray that she and her mother, and their family that has served as examples in so many ways, know how much they mean to me. I can't think of that day without seeing that I often fail to serve in this way. I know it isn't the culturally popular thing to do, but I would encourage you to wash someone's feet, and yes I mean literally. Why not? Is pride in the way, do you fear rejection? Jesus set the example and gave us the great role model. Serve Him in all things today.

Read John 13 and see how Jesus set the stage, even though He knew Judas would betray Him, that Peter would deny Him, yet the love Jesus shows is not the kind that is just fulfilling a necessary job(dirty feet do need to be washed). Jesus knew that this night would become the defining moment in history. Jesus came to die, and here was the night He was to be arrested and shortly after crucified.

I want to note due to personal conviction on my part that Jesus did not take this time to get in a few jabs, kick them around and get them ready for the persecution to come. He washed their feet. Think of how Judas felt after Jesus was taken to the cross. I bet Judas remembered the foot washing more vividly even than I do that night when my feet were washed.

Shepherding God's way

12. True shepherding of the flock: vision, visitation, discipleship, counseling, correction, etc. When these things are not practiced, a body will suffer and struggle. This is to be modeled by those specifically gifted (shepherds/elders), but practiced by all the body.

[1 Pet 5:1-3; Eph 4:11-12; 2 Tim 2:2; Titus 2; John 21:15-17; Jam 1:22-25; Ezek 34:2-6]

Considering the last post, I felt it was timely to tie these together. A very short description of what  we need to see modeled by those elders and deacons. Men that are faithful in these roles will be noticed, because they will be impacting lives everywhere they go. Men that love people, invest in their lives for eternity. These attributes are part of the qualities that we look for in elders, and serve to show us the way we should walk, according to God's ways. I hear from many brothers in Christ that their church is lacking in these areas, and we need to understand the serious consequences that come when we disregard the roles and responsibilities we are given as men especially. 

Priesthood of all believers, no clergy

11. (a) No official positions that draw lines between 'professional' ministry and everyone else – just the exercise of different gifts within the body. (b) Some gifts require much time to exercise, so I believe the Word gives license for supporting such laborers, although not in the sense of an expected or negotiated salary. (c) A local church is led and shepherded by elders, not a single professional trained religious figure.

[(a) 3 John 1:9-10; Mat 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:25-26; 2 Cor 1:24; (b) 1 Tim 5:17-18; Gal 6:6; 1 Cor 9:1-19 (c) 1 Pet 5:1-3; Acts 14:23, 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5-11; Jam 5:14]

I know this is a controversial topic, and encourage dissenters to read the passages noted here. Please reply with scriptural evidence if we have made error here. We want God's Word to speak louder than tradition.

Understand that we are not denying the idea of spiritual gifts, but rather the common modern practice of putting certain men and women on a pedestal. We are all equal in worth to God, and leaders are to lead by example, not by "lording it over" the "lay people" . This distinction between clergy and laity has often ended in giving glory to men, rather than Jesus Christ, the true Head of the church. 

We don't see the term "undershepherd" in the Bible. Rather, we find elders that lead by example, serving and protecting from doctrinal errors and such. You will also find deacons, men of godly character, that desire to serve people and take care of the day to day needs of the church. Any other positions, job titles, and such have been added to Biblical standard, yet are often regarded as holy writ. 

The Bible holds no standards for ordination in the New Testament, the church age, except those denoted for elders and deacons. Even then, these are not ordination qualifications, but given that believers will recognize and respect those among them that lead exemplary lives so that they can counsel, teach, and disciple others in these godly character traits. See Stephen's example of what a deacon should look like. 

Some have argued that the hierarchical system is one of the last leftovers from the Catholic system, others assume a desire for power among "professional clergy". We will make no such arguments, but rather desire to seek out the true Biblical pattern that was used in the early church. We want simply pure doctrine from God's Word, nothing added, nothing taken away. 

Teaching and study of God's Word

Scriptures considered: Heb 5:12-14; 1 Cor 14:24-26, 29-32

10. All the men involved in teaching and contributing to the study of the Word, and every member of the body a student of the Word.

This point was addressing the need for every Christian to be not just a casual browser or familiar with God's Word, but that we ought to let the Bible be our guide in all things. This point will be addressed further later.

Looking at the Scriptures mentioned above, you will see that only men are called to teach in the body of Christ corporately. We also see that each man that is married is to be head of his home, teaching and loving his family, as he has the responsibility before God for his household. Not all men may be gifted as teachers in the body of Christ, but each must take up the job with the Lord's help, to guide his family into God's truth. 

In many churches, the corporate teaching has been given to a single man. This is not the way we see in God's Word. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 14, we see multiple prophets speaking, others discerning or judging the validity of the teaching. How often I have seen that one man is exalted as leader in the church, with no one else daring to question him, or even ask for better explanation. This heirarchical system is not healthy, and has stunted the growth of many a church. If one looks at the Biblical system of elders, they all must be apt(able and willing) to teach. 

The following portion of our discussion seems to be a controversial subject, yet the Bible is clear in the matter. Though culture has changed over the last 2000 years, God has not changed. The passages discussed here are not to be twisted or disregarded, especially as the standard is set out in 1 Corinthians 11 as to the reason for men leading. 

There has never been a Biblical issue of inequality between the genders, but of headship. Man is head of the wife, Christ is head of the church, and God is the head of Christ. It speaks of the responsibility and order, not of abuse or inability of women to teach, but rather that women should not usurp authority over men in any situation, even if the man is unwilling to take the headship role. He is still responsible for his job, and will be accountable to God if he does a poor job. This is a much larger topic, but for the sake of brevity, I will end for now. Feel free to pick up this discussion via comments section, Facebook, or email.

Mark

Spiritual gifts- for God's glory and edifying the body

Scriptures  considered: 1 Cor 12:4-31; 1 Pet 4:10; Rom 12:6-8; Eph 4:11-12

9. Everyone in the body exercising their spiritual gift(s) – encouraged to and given opportunity, understanding that every Christian has been gifted for the common good of the body.

Though some gifts seem to be more public or viewed often as more important, we are told in Ephesians 4 that "what every joint supplies" is important, even crucial to the work of the Holy Spirit in accomplishing the building up and unity of faith in the body of Christ. Now, this goes beyond just the local church to the universal church. We must work hand in hand with other Christians, and be willing to submit ourselves in humility at times. 

Often, people take "spiritual gift tests" and these often just speak to personality and talent. Spiritual gifts are given at the point of salvation, and are spiritually used, so don't be content to just use your natural talents, but seek God's will and what He will have you  to do for His glory. Prayerfully consider these things, ask a close friend, as often others see our gifts when we are blindly wondering what God has given us to do. All spiritual gifts are from God, and for the body, not for our own glory. I welcome discussion on this point, and urge everyone to seek God's Word, and start our discussion there rather than what we have always known, or thought to be true. We are looking for God's pattern here, I look forward to hearing from you all.