How do you hold about the ordinances, such as feet-washing, the holy kiss, lifting up holy hands, etc.?
G.
Feet-washing is clearly instituted in John 13. It is very clearly enjoined there. Then do as commanded. But what is there in the “holy kiss” which would make it an ordinance? Does not the emphasis rest on “holy” rather than on “kiss”? Kissing was a common way of greeting; but it was sometimes used to cover a treacherous, unfriendly heart. So Judas kissed Jesus. The apostle does not rebuke the custom, but enjoins that the kiss shall be “holy,” sincere, pure. The “lifting up of hands” is merely an attitude of prayer.