While foot washing is not one of the traditional sacraments of the church, it is recognized as a sacramental action in many segments of the Christian faith.
Though never a major rite, the washing of the hands and feet of the priests did have a place in the Mosaic ritual (Exod. 30:17–21). It may indeed be that all ablutions of the Bible are ritual, rather than sanitary, though they rise out of assumed sanitary practices. Guests customarily were offered water and vessels for washing the feet (Gen. 18:4; 19:2; Judg. 19:21). As a special act of affection or humility, the host or hostess might even wash the feet of his or her guests (1 Sam. 25:41). A “sinful woman” spontaneously and gratefully so served the Lord (Luke 7:36–44).
At the Last Supper the Lord Jesus, taking a towel and basin during the meal (John 13:4–10), proceeded to wash the disciples’ feet and wipe them. This action was not to observe a custom, for the disciples were mystified by it. There is no doubt that Jesus gave it the spiritual significance of the symbolic cleansing of the believer from the defilement of present sin, as baptism symbolized cleansing from all guilt—the former practical and temporary, the latter complete and permanent. “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet” (John 13:10). This is the main lesson here, rather than humility.
Whether foot washing is an ordinance (see John 13:14, 16) must be decided by whether it meets the three qualifications of a church ordinance: an action (1) instituted by Christ, (2) of universal application, and (3) of permanent application. A number of denominations developing out of the Anabaptist wing of the Reformation, in particular the churches of the Brethren, believe it to be an ordinance, citing, in addition to John 13, 1 Timothy 5:10. In these communities, foot washing is observed in connection with the annual or semiannual celebration of the love feast and the Lord’s Supper. Liturgical churches commonly practice foot washing as part of the observance of Maundy Thursday.