You Are Clean

Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean" (John 13:10-11).

When were the disciples saved? If they were saved, when were they baptized? If they were baptized, who baptized them? Some say they were not saved until the Day of Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). Others say they could not have been saved until after Jesus died and was resurrected because it was then that He had ratified the New Covenant.

It is my contention that all but Judas Iscariot were saved before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and before the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. In Jesus’ conversation with Peter and the disciples as He washed their feet, He declared them to be ‘clean’, purified. (John 15:1-3) I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

The words are emphatic - “Now you are already clean.” His words in 13:10 are equally emphatic - “You are already clean.” But did this include Judas Iscariot? Didn’t Jesus wash his feet as well? Yes, He did. But remember, the washing of the feet is a symbol, not a reality, much like baptism. He said, “you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." We would hope that everyone who is baptized is also saved, but the reality is, not everyone who is baptized is indeed saved. The symbol of baptism does not express the reality of salvation in an unsaved person’s life.

Not everyone who calls Jesus ‘Lord’ is saved. Not everyone who preaches the Gospel or engages in Christian ministry is saved. (Matthew 7:21-23) Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' All 12 disciples, including Judas Iscariot, were sent by Jesus to engage in ministry (Luke 9:1-6). Jesus knew at that time that Judas was a devil, the ‘son of perdition’.

Again, it is my belief that all but Judas Iscariot had come to saving faith in Jesus Christ before He washed their feet. He declared the 11 to be ‘clean’, purified, spiritually cleansed of sin. What about baptism? We have no record of their baptism in Scripture. However, I am sure they had been baptized. By whom? Scripture doesn’t say. But that’s not a sticking point. The repentant thief on the cross wasn’t baptized either. Baptism is encouraged by Jesus, but not required for baptism. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9), not by any other means. Amen.

Pastor