Is foot washing instructed for the church today?
Foot washing is not necessarily instructed for the church today. The practice belongs to God's dealing with Israel and the priests' laver cleansing, not to the church's required ordinances. Some still practice it and are not condemned, but bringing it into the church from Israel's ceremonies is not mandated. It illustrates cleansing rather than giving a church command.
Les explains that in John 13, during the last Passover, Jesus rose from supper, laid aside His garments, took a towel, girded Himself, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet. When He came to Simon Peter, Peter questioned Him. Les notes that some still practice foot washing, and he does not condemn them, but he feels they are bringing something from God's dealing with Israel into the church, which is not necessarily instructed for the church. In Israel's priesthood, the priests washed their hands and feet at the laver after the altar and sacrifice; they did not take a whole bath there, since that was done before beginning their priestly ministry. Thus foot washing is connected with cleansing under Israel's system, not given as a required church practice.
More Questions
Is foot washing supposed to be practiced in the church today?
Christians who still practice foot washing are bringing something over from God's dealing with Israel into the church, which is not necessarily instructed for the church, though Les does not condemn them for it.