gross@dg-rtp.dg.com (Gene Gross) (03/01/90)
I'm curious about a couple of things. Are there any folks out there who belong to denominations that practice triune immersion (that is their denomination takes it literally that immersion should be three times for each of the Persons of the Trinity)? The Brethren in Christ do, and so do the Grace Brethren. Also, in the Brethren in Christ, we practice footwashing and the Agape meal as part of our worship. Do any of you out there also do this? I would like to correspond with those who do. Thanks in advance. Peace and Blessings, Gene
kilroy@mimsy.umd.edu (Nancy's Sweetie) (03/06/90)
Gene Gross asks: > >Also, in the Brethren in Christ, we practice footwashing and the Agape >meal as part of our worship. Do any of you out there also do this? This is probably going to strike some of you as pretty bizarre, but... Way Back When, people wore sandals and their feet got dusty, and it makes sense that one would like to have one's feet washed, because the dust could easily be an irritant (like lots of little rocks in your shoes, but the dust would stick to sweaty feet and not fall out). Since people don't wear sandals much anymore, but instead shoes, there is much less need to have one's feet cleaned; indeed, I would find it more of an annoyance taking off my shoes & socks, because my feet would probably get cold. On the other hand, the shoes get scuffed; so it seems to me that if the point of foot-washing is service to the washee, then the proper analogue would be shining the other person's shoes. At first, this idea struck me as too menial -- but then, the entire point of the exercise is to perform a humbling service for our brothers & sisters, n'est-ce pas? kilroy@cs.umd.edu Darren F. Provine ...uunet!mimsy!kilroy "There is nothing so absurd but some philosopher has said it." -- Cicero [I don't think they wash each other's feet because they need washing, but as part of a reenactment of the original Last Supper. Most congregations don't serve enough wine or bread to satisfy your hunger either. The importance is symbolic. 1 Cor 11:34 seems to endorse this. --clh]
fyfe@cis.ohio-state.edu (Bob Fyfe) (03/16/90)
From article <Mar.10.23.52.07.1990.6673@athos.rutgers.edu>, by davidbu@tekigm2.men.tek.com (David E Buxton): > > PS - Agape meal - "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, > and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness > and singleness of heart." (Acts 2:46) > > Question - what is the meaning of "Agape Meal"? > I attended a Grace Brethern church for 6 1/2 years. At that church they practiced what I believe was called a "three-fold communion". There was footwashing, a "love feast", and communion. When I started going there, the love feast was something of an extravagant pot-luck. Everyone brought their best "dish". It was a feast! In fact, I am aware of another church (non-denominational) that had a similar type meal. Our feast though, had a unique twist to it. You could not serve yourself and any food you ate was the result of someone offering it to you. If they didn't offer that fried chicken to you, no chicken for you! I suppose that outsiders could critize the manner of the meal but I'll tell you, it was a sweetness of fellowship of the saints that is still very memorable to me. Interestingly enough, over those 6 1/2 years the feast became less and less of a feast and more like fruit and nuts and... Also, it seems that I could find in scripture where Jesus enjoyed a meal with his friends. I personnaly envision it as a sweet time of fellowship where you can enjoy the company of fellow believers. bobb
kilroy@mimsy.umd.edu (Nancy's Sweetie) (03/19/90)
I commented that I thought foot-washing should be replaced with shoe- shining, and OFM replied: >[I don't think they wash each other's feet because they need washing, >but as part of a reenactment of the original Last Supper. Well, yes, but I'm an iconoclast. 8^) When the Last Supper took place, foot-washing was a common symbol of servanthood; but it does not have that symbolic import in our society. Shoe-shining, however, is a fairly common service in our culture, and many places have specially elevated chairs to raise the shinee over the shiner; so it seems to me that it is a more immediate symbol of the same idea. (Of course, if one believes that Jesus was instituting a sacrament, instead of illustrating a point, then the use of foot-washing is surely preferable.) kilroy@cs.umd.edu Darren F. Provine ...uunet!mimsy!kilroy "He may have been eccentric, but silly he was not." -- Torkel Franzen