New Wineskins - Old to New, Part 1

New Wineskins / Old to New, Part 1

In Matthew 9:16-17 it says that we don't put new wine into old wineskins or patch up an old wineskin with a new piece of cloth, because it will tear and the wine will spill out, therefore we need to put the new wine into new wineskins to contain it.

God wants us ALL to be new wineskins so he can pour his new wine into us. We can remain as old wineskins if we wish, but this will restrict our growth and fruitfulness. So this does not mean if we are part of the older generation, that we cannot become new wineskins – we just need to adjust the attitude of our hearts and minds and become mouldable and open to the Spirit, ready to put aside some of our old patterns of thinking and adapt to the new. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to deconstruct some of our thinking and reconstruct it. However, because many people are not aware nor understand what the new wineskin and wine is, they remain where they are. Some choose to remain there because they reject the new - therefore some believers will operate under the old system and old covenant – some will operate in the middle somewhere, and some will operate totally in the new, and they will all co-exist in the various parts of the Body of Christ. Those who choose not to operate fully in the new, will produce a fruitfulness of 30%, the next group will produce 60% but the last group, will produce 100%, as it says in Mark 4, (to be more fully explained in a latter Blog, The Three Realms).

However, when a new thing comes along, it always presents a challenge to the old and familiar and is often resisted, also the person bringing the message is often rejected or persecuted. Jesus was one such person. He reinterpreted Old Testament Scriptures, e.g. the Law became about personal attitudes and motives rather than the outwardly keeping the law, as was seen on the sermon on the Mount. Jesus put love above legalism and religious duty (see the story of Samaritan). Jesus demonstrated and taught us new ways to lead, not by hierarchy or control, but by being humble like little children and by serving others. The first would be last, the last would be first.

The Old Covenant Wineskin

The Old Covenant Wineskin was a religious system designed for Jews, God's chosen people, BEFORE Jesus came and inaugurated the New Covenant. The system consisted of one Temple, one priesthood (under Aaron's line), many sacrifices and offerings, but one High Priest, based in one city (Jerusalem), for one nation (the Jews), and under one King. There is much more to this system than I portray here, but this system was meant to be a foreshadowing of the New Covenant that Jesus would bring, not a template of worship for today because it restricts and prevents people accessing God for themselves. We can still see this system in operation today in our churches, where there is a clear division between the clergy and laity and where only the clergy perform priestly duties.

The New Covenant Wineskin

Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant, through his blood, by his death on the cross. From here on, everything changed and Jesus completely fulfilled the Law - the Old Covenant was now obsolete, however, Jews and some in the Christian faith and churches, still practice the old system, the old wineskin.

In the new covenant, we are ALL priests, – every individual believer is the Temple of God, where His Spirit dwells. God no longer resides in one Temple made of stone, but of flesh, in the soul and spirit of the believer. We have become a 'new creation', one with His spirit living inside us. We have become a son/daughter, inheriting his DNA.

We are also the nation, and the city of God. God is one within us and we are in him. We are the living stones, a chosen race, a royal priesthood and a holy nation (1 Peter 2:5,9). We are no longer foreigners or slaves, but sons of the living God. As sons and heirs of the King, we inherit a great purpose and destiny, including being seated in heavenly places, we operate from heavenly places whilst still living on the earth, and we rule and reign with Him, not just in the future, but right now – and we are called to walk in our purpose and destiny today!

Remember then, under the OLD covenant and wineskin, there was only one nation, the Jews, who had access to God. There was one priesthood, one high priest, and one Temple. Man had to work hard, they had many laws and sacrifices and offerings to fulfil. Most did not have a personal relationship with God, (as we do now, under the new covenant) and God's Spirit was WITH them and came UPON the priests, prophets and kings, but he did not live WITHIN THEM, rather among them.

Now, under the NEW Covenant and wineskin, God is IN US. We are one with him. We are all priests and able to minister to God and intercede on behalf of others. We can all be new wineskins, filled with new wine. Now, we are the Ecclesia, the called out ones, the living stones, carriers of his presence and his power and authority. Now, we have access to the heavenlies and we can boldly approach the throne of Grace, whereas before the veil of the curtain separated us. There are many more things that we are and can do as sons of God. Watch this space!