Page 261 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

FOOLISH TALKING - FOOTWASHING

law in any form, they should not be allowed to teach them” (Col. 3:7). [See Curse, Evil Speaking, Jesting,
their doctrine or to ask their foolish questions (1 Ti. Filthy Communication.]
1:3-11). (3) A foolish question is a question which is FOOTMEN. Footsoldier; infantryman (Nu. 11:21; Je.
connected with heresy (Tit. 3:9-11). In Titus 3 the foolish 12:5). [See Military.]
questions are mentioned in connection with the heretic. FOOTSTOOL. Something upon which to rest the feet
This is someone who is self-willed and who rejects (2 Ch. 9:18; Ja. 2:3). The earth is called God’s footstool
sound doctrine in favor of his own perversions of the (Is. 66:1; Mt. 5:35). Footstool is also used to describe
truth. He is not content with the plain teaching of the subjection of enemies (Ps. 110:1; Mt. 22:44; Ac.
Scripture. Questions which arise from such a context are 2:35; He. 1:13).
not sincere, but are asked in an attempt to produce
questions and doubt in the minds of the hearers. Such FOOTWASHING. The following is from James
questions should not be entertained. A foolish question Crumpton, New Testament Church Discipline:
is one which is used in an attempt to overthrow plain Some teach that footwashing (Jn. 13:1-20) is a
Bible teaching, such as questions about the Trinity, or church ordinance, just as baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Resurrection, or Inspiration, or hell. It is good to ask We doubt not their sincerity and respect their desire to
questions, but it is evil to entertain questions which obey Christ in a day when so many are so lax; yet, we
deny Bible truth. If the Bible says Jesus is God, who are are convicted and fully satisfied that they have mistaken
we to ask how it was possible for this to be? If the Bible our Lord’s meaning here.
says unbelievers will suffer conscious eternal torment in The following facts prove conclusively that Jesus is
fire, which it does, we must not worry about how that not referring to literal foot washing and that he was not
could be possible, or whether or not that this could be a giving us a third church ordinance: (1) “What I do thou
just punishment. If the Bible claims to be the perfect knowest not now” (Jn. 13:7). The disciples certainly
Word of God, who are we to question how that could be knew that their feet had been literally washed. (2) The
possible? God’s part is to Proclaim Truth; man’s part is Scriptures nowhere indicate that any local church in the
to believe his Creator. Our questions must be controlled N.T. ever observed footwashing as a church ordinance
by the Bible, not the Bible by our questions. because of this experience recorded in John 13. (3) “If I
An example of how to deal with foolish questions is wash thee not, thou has no part with me” (Jn. 13:8). If
found in Lk. 20:1-8 and 20-26. Here the Lord Jesus under these circumstances footwashing is a church
Christ is confronted with the foolish questions of the ordinance, then footwashing would be a part of
Pharisees. In His reply Christ fulfilled the wisdom of Pr. salvation. This is the same mistake made by those who
26:4-5—”Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest teach that baptism is essential to salvation. There is no
thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to sacramental salvation taught in the Bible. (4) “Know ye
his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” A fool is not what I have done to you” (Jn. 13:12)? This would
to be answered in like manner to his foolishness, but as indicate that what Jesus was doing to them had a deep
his foolishness deserves. Jesus did this with the spiritual meaning of which they were unaware.
Pharisees. He did not argue with them, nor did He Some teach that the account in Jn. 13 is given
waste time giving detailed replies to their insincere primarily to teach the humility of our Lord and to give
questions. He answered with statements that got to the us an example of how humble we should be. There is no
root of the matter and which shut their rebellious question but that the humility of our Lord is revealed
mouths! Compare Tit. 1:11. [See Apostasy, Bible, here, but it is not given primarily for this purpose. His
Doctrine, Fable, False Prophet, False Teaching, Heresy, humility was manifested throughout His entire earthly
Inspiration, Separation, Timothy.] sojourn. “And being found in fashion as a man, he
FOOLISH TALKING. This term in Ep. 5:4 refers to humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
speech which is immoral, unclean, unwholesome, or in even the death of the cross” (Ph. 2:8). [See Humility.]
any way improper for the Christian. It is listed in the ONE BATH, BUT DAILY FOOTWASHING. In his
context of “filthiness” and “jesting.” It is defined as that discussion with the disciples, Jesus distinguished
which is “not convenient.” In the next verse the Apostle between being washed (bathed) and needing the feet
mentions whoremongers, unclean persons, and washed. He was saying that there is one bath and many
idolaters. “Foolish talking” is a reference to the type of footwashings. The whole picture is that of the public
suggestive, unwholesome conversation that the world baths. When they walked from the bathing place home,
delights in. The Christian is warned, “... because of they contracted dust (since they wore sandals) and so
these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children the practice of footwashing. Hosts and hostesses washed
of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with the feet of their guests as a gesture of genuine
hospitality when folk came to visit them (1 Ti. 5:9-10).

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 261