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The Christian practice of foot washing comes from John 13:4–17. On the night Jesus was betrayed, He washed the feet of His disciples in a way that was only customary for the lowest servant of the house. Peter was so offended by this that he initially refused to have his feet washed until Jesus told him that he must be served by Jesus in order to have a part with Jesus. (John 13:8, NIV)

Jesus explained why he’d done this, leaving the disciples with an example so that they could serve one another in the same way Jesus served them. To emphasize the degree to which Jesus served His disciples, He washed the feet of Judas—the same disciple who betrayed Jesus that same night.

Many churches practice foot washing at various times and occasions for the sake of portraying the example of Jesus, taking the role of the least. Usually, the person with the title or position will be the one who begins washing the feet of others who in turn wash someone else’s feet. Sometimes the occasion is preparation for ministry, so it becomes a ceremony to show that no one is too important not to serve. Other times the occasion is forgiveness in which communities who have been at odds will do a foot washing ceremony to show that they are repentant.

Some churches have raised foot washing to the level of an ordinance or sacrament of the church—making foot washing an ongoing practice. For something to qualify as an ordinance, it must meet two requirements:

1.     Jesus commanded us to do it (so it is ordained).

2.     It reflects the story of the gospel.

In the Assemblies of God, along with much of Protestantism, only two practices rise to the level of ordinance: water baptism and communion. Jesus told us to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit while water baptism represents the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus told us to take communion in remembrance of Him while it represents His sacrifice.

Jesus did tell the disciples that they should do for each other as He has done for them in foot washing. Foot washing is not interpreted to mean the gospel but merely our service to each other. In that way, it does not rise to the level of an ordinance.

Now there is nothing wrong with a church that regularly engages in the practice of foot washing. Even churches that do not see it as a sacrament can still do it as an example for ministry or a point of repentance. It is only when we judge each other for not treating it as an ordinance of the church that the practice of foot washing can be harmful. Then we are using it to accuse one another rather than serve one another. No one who understands its meaning can use it as a weapon against other believers. It is only there to remind us to serve one another as Jesus intended.