Belief 06 / 10
Footwashing
True Jesus Church believes that footwashing, done once in the name of Jesus Christ for every person who has been baptised, gives the believer a part with the Lord, and teaches love, holiness, humility, forgiveness and service.
The sacrament of footwashing enables one to have a part with the Lord Jesus. It also serves as a constant reminder that one should have love, holiness, humility, forgiveness, and service. Every person who has received water baptism must have his/her feet washed in the name of Jesus Christ. Mutual footwashing may be practiced whenever is appropriate.
信洗脚礼系与主有分，及教训相爱、圣洁、谦卑、服事、饶恕之典礼。对每一个受浸者，要奉主耶稣圣名给予洗脚一次；至于用水彼此洗脚，必要时亦可行之。
On the night before He died, Jesus rose from supper, poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet (John 13:4-5). In that culture, washing feet was the work of the lowest servant. When Peter refused, Jesus told him, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me” (John 13:8). Peter then gladly let the Lord wash him.
True Jesus Church believes footwashing is a sacrament, like baptism and Holy Communion: something the Lord did Himself and commanded His followers to do, and which is connected with salvation. Jesus compared it to bathing, saying that one who has bathed only needs to wash the feet (John 13:10). So after a person is baptised, a minister of the church washes their feet once in the name of the Lord Jesus. In spirit, it is the Lord who washes them, so that they have a part with Him.
Footwashing is also a lesson for daily life. Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). He washed the feet of every disciple, including Judas, who would betray Him that same night. Our feet stand for the way we walk through life, so footwashing reminds us to keep our steps holy, to love one another, to serve humbly and to forgive.
At BMC, newly baptised members receive footwashing after their baptism, before they take part in Holy Communion for the first time. Members may also wash one another’s feet when it is appropriate, brothers with brothers and sisters with sisters. Either way, the meaning is the same: to belong to Christ and to live like Him.
Common questions
Isn’t footwashing just an old custom, or an example of humility?
It is an example, but it is more than that. Jesus told Peter that without it he would have no part with Him (John 13:8), which shows it carries spiritual meaning and is not optional. It is also a command: “ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
Why don’t all members wash each other’s feet at every service?
The sacrament itself is done once for each newly baptised person, by the church on the Lord’s behalf. Jesus said, “If I wash thee not”, not “if you do not wash each other”. The command to wash one another’s feet is lived out mainly through humble service, and members may also wash one another’s feet when it is appropriate.
You are welcome here
Come as you are. Stay for the Sabbath.
Friday 7:30 pm or Saturday 2:30 pm, at Jalan Bendahara 24/7, Bandar Mahkota Cheras.