Hope of Israel Ministries (Ecclesia of YEHOVAH):

The Mystery of the Foot-washing!

by HOIM Staff

Now, let's go on to another question which has been raised: Should true Christian-Israelites, on the night of Nisan 14, wash one another's feet, once a year? Since we have seen that the "Lord's supper" was exactly that -- his supper, with his disciples, and not an observance we should try to emulate and place into the religious calendar -- it should be obvious that we should not keep the "foot-washing" at that time. On the other hand, should we do it every time we have a "Kiddush"?

When should the "foot-washing" ceremony be done? How often, and when, should Christian-Israelites do the foot-washing ceremony? Or is this just figurative language Yeshua used to teach us a lesson to always remain in a humble attitude?

Let's notice the account. We read:

"And supper being ended...He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet" (John 13:2-4, KJV).

Notice! Yeshua rose from the supper table, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of all his disciples. This was actually BEFORE supper -- not when supper was "ended." The Greek for "ended" here is #1096 in Strong's Concordance and is ginomai which means "to be made," "to become," "to happen," "be brought to pass," "be performed," etc. in a future sense. This verse should be translated: "And supper about to be served."

This foot-washing ceremony was done when the supper was "about to be served." It was not done DURING or AFTER supper! We will see why later in this article.

When Yeshua began to wash Peter's feet, Peter remonstrated, saying he didn't need to wash his feet (v.6-8). Yeshua said, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me" (v.8). Peter replied, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head" (v.9). Yeshua answered: "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and YE ARE CLEAN, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean" (v.10-11).

After he had washed their feet, and sat down again, he asked them,

"Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE, THAT YE SHOULD DO AS I HAVE DONE TO YOU. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:12-17).

Notice! Yeshua gave a very direct COMMAND that we should do as he did -- and wash one another's feet! He set us a literal EXAMPLE in this regard! This was not figurative language, but a plain and direct command, a simple "thus-saith-the-Lord." We ought not to quibble about it, or question it, but OBEY it!

When, then, should this act be performed? Should it be done the evening before Passover -- that is, on the beginning of Nisan 14? First of all, in answer to that question, Yeshua did not command us to do it that evening. He just said, "Do it"! He said we would be "happy" or "blessed" if we do it, and follow his example. Since he did not command observance of any dinner that evening, or institute any such observance, we should not superimpose one on our own authority. Therefore, we should not do the "foot-washing" that evening -- it is not a commanded celebration. It would be ridiculous to assemble only for a "foot-washing" ceremony by itself.

But some have wondered, what about doing the foot-washing every time we hold a Kiddush? Wouldn't that be appropriate? Should we keep it every time we hold a "Kiddush"? What did the early church do?

The Two Priesthoods

To answer this we must delve into the history of foot-washing. The foot-washing incident found in John 13 is not an isolated incident without typological significance, but contains a rich historical and theological context that hearkens back to the Old Testament. Its origins can be found in the Levitical priesthood and the brazen laver found at the entrance to the Holy Place in the Temple. When the Messiah washed the disciples feet he then said, in John 13:7, -- "What I am doing, you do not know now, but later you will understand."

The disciples knew it was a test of fellowship (John 13:8), but beyond that they didn't perceive what he was doing because Yeshua's actions involved the transference of priesthoods and, at that point, the disciples saw the Messiah as a prophet and king -- not as a priest. After the Messiah's death on the tree, the reality of his priesthood became apparent to the disciples, and their understanding of this key element matured until it culminated in Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews.

As its central theme, Hebrews contrasts the Levitical priesthood and the priesthood of Melchizedek. The Levitical priesthood was the SHADOW of Melchizedek -- the type to the anti-type. Therefore, in order to come to grips with the foot-washing incident found in the New Testament, we need to understand foot-washing among the Levitical priests of the Old.

While it is true that the terms "washing" and "baptism" are different words in the Greek, they are the same in Hebrew! The Greek word baptisma -- which means "to wash" or dip -- is the word from which we get "baptism." In the Greek it is a term that refers to a ceremonial washing (which, incidentally, was not unique to Christianity) as distinguished from usual bathing which is nipto in the Greek. However, in the Old Testament there is no such distinction and the SAME TERM is used to describe both the ceremonial washings of the Levitical priesthood and the mundane task of every day washing (rachats, see Genesis 43:24; Exodus 40:31, etc.).

Now since the language of Palestine was Aramaic (a sister dialect of Hebrew), it would not be wrong to say that John the Baptist was simply known to the people at large as "John the Washer." Yeshua taught in Aramaic; so his words had to be translated into Greek by the original Gospel writers. It is also more than likely that the Epistle to the Hebrews was originally written in Aramaic.

An Extension of Baptism?

With this in mind, the reference in Hebrews 6:2 to the doctrine of BAPTISMS (PLURAL) takes on noticeable significance: It clearly suggests that FOOT-WASHING IS A FOOT BAPTISM, and is a part of the foundation of the elementary principles of the Messiah (Hebrews 6:1). Is it possible that YEHOVAH's Church cannot advance to perfection because by neglecting FOOT BAPTISM, it lacks a completed foundation? Notice Hebrews 6:1-3 :

"Therefore, leaving behind the initial lessons about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of turning from works that lead to death, trusting God, and instruction about WASHINGS [PLURAL], s'mikhah, the resurrection of the dead and eternal punishment. And, God willing, this is what we will do" (Jewish New Testament).

Now to what other "washings" could Paul have been referring? He could not have been referring to any ritual washings associated with the Pharisees because Yeshua strongly condemned those customs (Mark 7:1-8). The only other "washing" or "baptism" found in the New Testament is the FOOT BAPTISM of John 13!

More than one interpreter of the New Testament has seen, in the foot-washing incident, an clear allusion to forgiveness of post-baptismal sin. Read what John Christopher Thomas says in his ground-breaking work Footwashing in John 13 and the Johannine Community --

"The literary and exegetical analysis has shown that as a sign of preparation for Jesus' departure, the footwashing signifies the disciples' spiritual cleansing for a continued relationship with Jesus. As such, the footwashing functions as an extension of the disciples' baptism in that it signifies continual cleansing from the sin acquired (after baptism) through life in a sinful world. This act then is a sign of continued fellowship with Jesus, but it also functions as a sign of their continued readiness for participation in his mission" (Sheffield Academic Press: Sheffield, England. 1991, p. 150).

Augustine (early Catholic Church Father) affirms that Yeshua was referring to the washing away of sin when he said that the disciples had no need to wash except the feet. In Homilies on John 56.4 he explains John 13:10 by appealing to the sin accumulated on the journey through this life -- notice!

"But what is this? what does it mean? And what is there in it we need to examine? The Lord says, The Truth declares that even he who has been washed [baptized] has need still to wash [baptize] his feet. What, my brethren, what think you of it? Save that in holy baptism a man has all of him washed, not all save his feet, but every whit: and yet, while thereafter living in this human state, he cannot fail to tread on the ground with his feet. And thus our human feelings themselves, which are inseparable from our mortal life on earth, are like feet wherewith we are brought into sensible contact with human affairs; and are so in such a way that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

Jerome, in a discussion of Isaiah 6, compares Isaiah's need for cleansing his unclean lips with the disciples' need for cleansing their sin-stained feet --

"For example, Our Lord in the Gospel is girt with a towel, He prepares a basin to wash the disciples' feet, He performs the service of a slave. Granted, it is to teach humility, that we may minister to each other in turn. I do not deny that. I do not reject it. What is it that He says to Peter upon his refusal? If I wash not thy feet, thou shalt have no part with me. And he replied: Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. Because His apostles, as men walking the earth, still had feet stained by the pollution of sin, the Lord being about to ascend to heaven, desires to free them entirely from their transgressions, that the words of the prophet may be applicable to them: How beautiful are the feet of those that preach peace" (Epistle 17A.12).

Clearly, Yeshua's foot-washing removes the stain of sin's pollution accumulated by walking in a sinful world. The washing is also seen as preparation for the disciples' mission. It seems obvious that Jerome has in mind the disciples' POST-BAPTISMAL SIN, for he describes the foot-washing as freeing them entirely from their transgressions -- implying an earlier freeing from sin by John the Baptist's baptism.

In explaining John 13:10-11, Theodore of Mopsuestia affirms that foot-washing removed the sins of the disciples which had been committed AFTER their baptism at the hand of John the Baptist. Notice:

"This is not baptism in remission of sin (which they surely received once for all), neither again is there need for another baptism, for total cleansing is received the first time (it is performed). Now it is needful to wash only their feet in order to cover [sins], which things are committed again [i.e. after baptism] as you well know" (Commentary on the Gospel of John the Apostle 6.26-30).

The disciples' baptism at the hands of John the Baptist designated initial belief and fellowship with the Messiah, whereas footwashing signified the continuance of that belief and fellowship. As a sign of Yeshua's departure, foot-washing signifies the disciples' SPIRITUAL CLEANSING in preparation for both a continuing relationship with the Messiah and for taking on his mission in the world. In light of this, an identification of foot-washing with the cleansing from the sin contracted through daily life in this world is an appropriate one! So Peter (the believer) who experiences baptism -- which signifies a complete cleansing from previous sin -- does not need to be rebaptized but undergoes foot-washing -- which signifies the removal of sin that might accumulate after baptism as a result of living in this sinful world. In this way foot-washing IS AN EXTENSION OF BAPTISM, for it signifies the washing away of post-baptismal sins in Peter's (the believer's) life.

The Levitical Parallel

Notice, now, the parallel with the Levitical washings (baptisms):

"And the LORD said to Moses...And you shall anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it. Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and WASH THEM WITH WATER....

"And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there to wash with it. And Moses and Aaron and his sons WASHED THEIR HANDS AND THEIR FEET at it; when they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near to the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses" (Exodus 40:1, 11-13, 30-33).

Here was the Old Testament foot-washing. It was a BAPTISM reserved for the priests during their service at the Tabernacle, and later at the Temple. This fact immediately establishes the believer's PRIESTLY STATUS in the New Covenant or Testament. Yeshua, the new Moses who has fulfilled all Scripture, has ordained a NEW PRIESTHOOD to replace the old Aaronic priesthood. With Aaron, we find an initial washing, covering THE ENTIRE BODY (Exodus 40:11-12). Later, he washes his hands and his feet alone in order to minister (Exodus 40:32). Compare this with the Messiah's reply to Peter when he pled for his head, his hands, and his feet to be washed --

"A man who has had a bath [baptism] doesn't need to wash, EXCEPT HIS FEET -- his body is already clean" (John 13:10, JNT).

One of the noticeable differences between the washings of Old Testament priests and New Testament priests is that we no longer wash our hands (hand baptism). Why? Because Old Testament men had unclean hands; they were unrighteous men whose sins were laid up until the release on the Day of Atonement -- once a year. The Messiah's atonement, however, was ONCE FOR ALL TIME! We who follow the Messiah are truly clean, truly righteous. Our hands are clean to exercise dominion upon the earth. In contrast, however, our feet are dirty because the earth awaits redemption. And that redemption cannot take place until the sons of YEHOVAH God are manifested (Romans 8:18-22). The dust (the earth) is the place of Satan's dominion. The Christian crushes the Serpent's (Satan's) head, but the Serpent bites his heel. The dirt (the earth) is unclean because of death. As a result, sin affects the feet ONLY (Gensis 3:14-15).

From this typology we can see that while baptism cleanses the believer and makes him fit to enter the sanctuary, foot-washing makes him fit for ministry (see I Peter 3:21 and the "pledge to keep a good conscience"). Therefore, while full body washing (baptism) need ONLY OCCUR ONCE as an initiatory rite into the priesthood, FOOT BAPTISM IS A RITE THAT MUST BE PRACTICED REPEATEDLY! That is WHY Yeshua introduced it during his last meal with his disciples. Since this bread and the wine ceremony (the Kiddush) -- was intended to be practiced regularly, SO TOO WAS FOOT-WASHING!!

The Brazen Laver

Now that we have established that foot-washing is a FOOT BAPTISM that hearkens back to the Levitical priesthood and the ministry in the Tabernacle, let us take a look at the significance of the laver. The laver was a huge tub replaced periodically with clean water from the Gihon Spring below. Notes Smith's Bible Dictionary, it was

"a vessel of brass containing water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifice. It stood in the court between the altar and the door of the tabernacle. Ex. 30:19, 21. It rested on a basis, i.e. a foot, which, as well as the laver itself, was made from the MIRRORS of the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle court." -- Ex. 38:8.

The brass of the laver and foot or base was so pure it served as a mirror. The Priest could clearly see his reflection in great detail as he washed. The laver provided the Priest with a standard for self-evaluation -- to make certain he was presentable to YEHOVAH God. If he was not properly prepared he would have perished.

That the primary use of the brazen laver was for washing or cleansing is commented on by Arthur W. Pink in his book Gleanings in Exodus --

"There is therefore no difficulty at all in perceiving the spiritual meaning of the holy vessel which is now before us [the laver]:...The laver tells of the need of cleansing if communion with God is to be maintained: CLEANSING NOT FROM THE GUILT OF SIN, BUT FROM THE DEFILEMENTS OF THE WAY...the question of sin was dealt with at the brazen-altar: that must be settled before there can be any approach unto God. Hence the brazen-altar was the first holy vessel to be met with in the outer court, being stationed just within the entrance. But having there slain the sacrifice and poured out its blood at the foot of the altar, the sons of Aaron were now able to advance; but ere they were ready to burn incense upon the golden-altar they must wash at the Laver. The need for this will be easily discerned."

Pink goes on to explain:

"Having officiated at the brazen-altar their hands would be unclean, smeared with blood. Moreover, as no shoes were provided for Aaron and his sons, THE DUST OF THE DESERT WOULD SOIL THEIR FEET. These must be removed ere they could pass into the holy place; as it is said concerning the eternal Dwelling place of God, 'And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth' (Rev. 21:27).

"The spiritual application of this to Christians today is obvious. The blood on the hands of Aaron and his sons evidenced that they had come into contact with death. So we, in our everyday lives, constantly have dealings with those who are dead in trespasses and sins, and their very influence defiles us. In like manner, our passage through this wilderness world, which lieth in the Wicked one [Satan] (I John 5:19), fouls our walk. THERE IS THEREFORE A DAILY NEED FOR THESE TO BE REMOVED."

It should be noted here that it was in their official capacity as priests -- not merely as Israelites -- that Aaron and his sons were required to wash their hands and feet at the Laver. "Had they failed in this duty," expounds Arthur Pink, "they had still been Israelites, but they were disqualified for entering into the holy place and ministering before God." Likewise, under the New Testament, the soiling of our hands and feet through association with Satan's world, and as a result of living in a world that does not know and love the Messiah, DOES NOT in any way affect our perfect standing before YEHOVAH God: "For by a single offering he has brought us to the goal for all time those who are being set apart for God and made holy" (Hebrews 10:14, JNT).

But while the defilements of our walk through this world do not affect our standing, THEY DO INTERFERE WITH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YEHOVAH GOD! "We cannot enter into our priestly privileges (I Peter 2:5)," concludes Pink, "nor discharge our priestly duties (Hebrews 13:5), till we have been cleansed at the Laver." The Laver, like everything else in the Tabernacle, pointed to Yeshua the Messiah and tells of his sufficiency to meet our every need. And, above all, it shows us that we must have recourse to him -- ON A REGULAR BASIS -- for cleansing!

Water -- and not blood -- was the element appointed by YEHOVAH God and used for the purification of his priests. There were, we should understand, TWO clearly defined types of cleansings or baptisms --

"Now it is of first importance that we should discriminate between two distinct types. Exodus 29:4 we are told, 'And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and thou shalt wash them with water.' While in Exodus 30:19 we read, 'Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and feet thereat.' The former was done for them; the latter was done by them. In the one they were COMPLETELY washed all over [baptism in the N.T.]; in the latter, it was ONLY THEIR HANDS AND FEET that were concerned [foot-washing in the N.T.]. The former was NEVER REPEATED; the latter WAS NEEDED EVERYTIME THEY WOULD DRAW NEAR THE GOLDEN-ALTAR [YEHOVAH's presence]. The one was a figure of regeneration, the other TYPIFIED THE CHRISTIAN'S NEED OF DAILY CLEANSING" (Pink, Gleanings in Exodus).

Now this use of the laver for cleansing -- as well as for self-judgment -- has striking similarities to the New Testament description of the word of YEHOVAH God. Notice the following passages --

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25-27, NIV).

"Don't deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it! For whoever hears the Word but doesn't do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, who looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But if a person looks closely into the perfect Torah, which gives freedom, and continues, becoming not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work it requires, then he will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:22-25, JNT).

Also --

"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you" (John 15:3, NIV).

The Old Testament mandates the cleansing use of the Law:

"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:9-11, NKJ).

The New Testament book of Hebrews instructs us that all these things pertaining to the Levitical system were shadows of the eternal realities of YEHOVAH God's kingdom. This is readily highlighted in the sacrificial system which foreshadowed the Messiah (Hebrews 10:1). It is also true of the Tabernacle itself and its furnishings (9:1-11).

If it's true that the laver represents the cleansing properties of the word of YEHOVAH God, then foot baptism represents the daily cleansing we receive from meditating on the Scriptures. It is evident that when a priest washed his feet and hands he did not dip his hands and feet into the laver and pollute the entire container. The water was dipped out and poured over the priest's hands and feet. Similarly, New Testament foot baptism requires one to be washed by a fellow believer. What this means should be obvious: Christians are to provide an edifying influence on one another on a REGULAR BASIS!

How Often Should We Practice Foot-Washing?

While the initiatory rite of baptism should only occur once, FOOT BAPTISM SHOULD BE AS FREQUENT AS THE WEEKLY KIDDUSH! Why? Because foot-washing was an integral part of that last meal Yeshua had with his disciples (John 13:2, 4, 8-10). The Kiddush cannot be considered complete without foot-washing!

That foot-washing was a common part of the Agape meal is recognized by the Catholic Church Father Tertullian (c. 155-c. 222) who mentions a "manual ablution" -- notice!

"Our feast explains itself by its name. The Greeks call it agape, i.e. affection....As it is an act of religious service, it permits no vileness or immodesty. The participants before reclining, taste first of prayer to God. As much is eaten as satisfies the craving of hunger; as much is drunk as befits the chaste. They say it is enough, as those who remember that even during the night they have to worship God; they talk as those who know that the Lord is one of their auditors. After MANUAL ABLUTION, and the bringing in of lights, each is asked to stand forth and sing, as he can, a hymn to God, either one from the holy Scriptures or one of his own composing -- a proof of the measure of our drinking" (The Apology 39; written in 197).

The term "manual ablution" here refers to foot-washing. As such, this term coincides with similar language found in Augustine and John Cassian.

Additional evidence for the WEEKLY practice of foot-washing is found in B.W. Bacon's work The Sacrament of Footwashing (1931-32, pp. 218-21), where he states that "instead of the washing of hands belonging to the Jewish KIDDUSH he [John] substitutes a rite of the Ephesian Church, a washing of the feet of the Bride [the Church]. In 13:10 it is interpreted to symbolize removal of post-baptismal sin that all the Church's members may be sanctified, cleansed by the washing of water with the word. Thus the Bridegroom [the Church], in due time, will 'present her to himself a glorious bride, holy and without blemish.'"

When we look at most of the Churches of God, what do we see? In the most part we see the well-intentioned religion of men. It bears little or no resemblance to what we see in the Bible. In not practicing foot-washing on a regular or weekly basis allows such churches a nominal Christianity. People can eat at the Lord's meal, as did Judas, and remain in fellowship because, to use modern vernacular, the rubber never meets the road! In so doing, these churches allow self-deception and allow for their churches to fill with tares. There is no accountability, no judgment, and no cleansing. The Lord's Table becomes the Table of Demons and of a syncretistic "Christianity" -- a gnostic "Christianity" (I Corinthians 10).

The Messiah's last meal was part of the Kiddush observed on every Sabbath and Holy Day. As such, ALL the practices introduced at the beginning of Yeshua's last meal -- INCLUDING FOOT-WASHING -- should be retained in the Kiddush or weekly Agape Feast. No elaborite ritual is needed for foot baptism. A prayer for the one being washed, a word of encouragement, a spirit of humility and service -- these are all that are needed. Partners should be chosen by lot. That avoids favoritism. If there is strife in the congregation, we should make sure that the antagonists are matched up. Foot-washing greatly contributes to the healing of strained relationships. YEHOVAH's people have robbed themselves by its neglect.

Some have wondered if we should do it "after" having a meal? Some would do it after having the bread and wine as symbols of the Messiah, as a "final act" showing humility. Also, it has been suggested that this is "part of preparation for the Passover." Is this true? Not at all. First of all, Yeshua set the example of doing it BEFORE the meal, when the meal was about to be served -- not after the meal! Secondly, proper "preparations" for Passover are given in the original commandment -- putting leaven out, and preparing the lamb, and the Passover dinner. No other acts would constitute "preparation" unless Yeshua commanded it as preparation. But he did no such thing. He merely said to do it, but never connected it with Passover itself! That is nothing more than human reason! There is no Scriptural justification for it!

The reason why the foot-washing ceremony should be performed BEFORE the meal and the bread and wine is because it replaced the Jewish tradition of washing the hands before partaking of a meal. And, also, because of of the symbolism associated with the Laver and the priestly washings. It is important to realize that the Laver stood in the OUTER COURT and not within the holy place -- which was the chamber of worship. If the sons of Aaron failed to wash at the Laver and then proceeded into the holy place to serve at the golden-altar, they would have committed an unspeakable insult to YEHOVAH God by passing into the holy place with soiled hands and feet! In fact, YEHOVAH God would have put them to death for such an act.

In a similar manner, we cannot enter into a meaningful relationship with YEHOVAH on the Sabbath or Holy Days until we first wash at the Laver -- the confessing of our sins and the consequent washing of our feet should take place BEFORE, IN THE OUTER COURT! Failure to do so at this point -- BEFORE THE BEGINNING of the Sabbath or Holy Day services -- is to, morally speaking, bring "death" into the service. "So let a person examine himself first, and then he may eat of the bread and drink from the cup" (I Corinthians 11:28, JNT). This involves washing our feet at the "Laver" BEFORE coming to the Lord's table.

Brethren, it's time we WAKE UP, and watch out for our selves, and our salvation! Solomon warned, "He that walketh with WISE men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20).

Solomon also wrote: "Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge" (Proverbs 19:25). He added: "CEASE, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to ERR from the words of knowledge" (v.27).

Let's quit listening to seducers, filled with guile, and self-will. Let's quit listening to seductive false teachers who try to use their snake-oil charm and winsome smiles and then inveigle themselves into our midst, and who bring in heresies and seek to teach things which they ought not! Let's stop listening to EVEN ONE WORD from such wicked and deceitful servants of Satan the devil!

It all seems to begin to innocently. And then, sooner than you can say "Gotcha!" -- they indeed "got to you"! Remember, Peter warned, "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them -- bringing swift destruction on themselves. Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned" (II Peter 2:1-2).

Jude warns, "For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 4).

John writes:

"Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward. Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but GOES BEYOND IT, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. Do not receive into the house or welcome ANYONE who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person" (II John 8-11, NRSV).

Isn't that plain enough?

We must not fall into the trap of "adding to" the Word of YEHOVAH God. We must stop associating and listening to false teachers, who attempt to seduce YEHOVAH's people, and lead them astray. "Adding" an observance to what YEHOVAH God commands may seem like such a small, innocent thing, but that is how Satan always begins his seduction. Taking the one little bite of one piece of "forbidden fruit" seemed so harmless to Eve -- yet look at all the tragedy it has caused!

I sincerely hope that some of you will take this seriously, and quit having anything to do with those who teach and propound serious error. They may be charming, friendly men who seem so innocent. But they inwardly are "wolves" who seek to lead you off into the "wild unknown" (II Corinthians 11:13-15). They may seem ever so sweet and delightful. But such fellowship is EVIL -- it is DANGEROUS!

Remember -- Satan seeks to divide us -- and destroy our unity. We must stand together -- or he will pick us off, one by one. Please give this instruction your utmost attention -- and do not deviate from it! Your crown of salvation and eternal life could be at stake!