A controversy has existed among believers for many years that
has damaged and divided the Church worldwide: The question of New
Wine vs. Old Wine. I want to
”
weigh-in
”
on this matter with a brief word that I trust will be
well-received by those on both sides of the issue.
A controversy has existed among believers for many years that has damaged and divided the Church worldwide: The question of New Wine vs. Old Wine. I want to “weigh-in” on this matter with a brief word that I trust will be well-received by those on both sides of the issue.
I’m not going to attempt to define “New Wine” as opposed to “Old Wine” because that has no direct bearing upon the issue at hand. Suffice it to say that the “New” is whatever is new and the “Old” has simply been around long enough that it is considered old.
In Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22 and Luke 5:37-39, Jesus states, “No man puts new wine into old bottles (wineskins).” There is good reason for that. Both the new wine and the wineskin will suffer loss. It seems quite clear that Jesus was concerned, not just with the preservation of new wine, but also with preserving old wineskins.
You see, there is nothing inherently wrong with old wineskins. They have ongoing value as containers for old wine. And, as Jesus observed in Luke 5:39, “And no one after drinking old wine immediately desires new wine, for he says, The old is good or better” (Amplified). Most wine connoisseurs would agree. And, it should also be noted that today’s “New Wine” will be tomorrow’s “Old Wine.”
In the past 50 years the Church has witnessed a great variety of Movements (Charismatic, Jesus People, Faith, Church Growth, and Contemporary Worship, to cite just a few), each of which was/is declared to be “New Wine” by their proponents. Each movement boasts many followers who testify they tasted wonderful “New Wine” in the “awakening” of their experience; however, many sincere and Godly believers have chosen not to partake of the “New,” preferring the “Old” and familiar.
It is natural, when we have experienced something good, to want to share the blessing with others; assuming, “What blesses me will bless them.” The reason, however, that old wineskins cannot contain new wine is that they have lost their elasticity, their ability to adapt to the expansion required by “New Wine.” Does this make them bad? No! They may not have the capacity to acclimate to change as perhaps they once did, but that does not reduce their capacity to receive and preserve “Old Wine,” which is still precious to them and many others.
Those who advocate for the “New” often have little or no appreciation for that which the “Old” has accomplished or provided. Let me illustrate from personal experience. In 1978 I accepted the pastorate of a long-established church. I had no appreciation whatsoever for the asphalt on the parking lot or the expense involved in putting it there. I never thought about it. It was just “there.”
In 1981 I planted a new church and, after renting for 3.5 years, we finished our first multi-purpose building. It was totally empty! All the furnishings, instruments and office equipment had to be purchased and we, with great sacrifice, managed to secure them. However, with the new mortgage payments and increased operating expenses, we were unable to pave the parking area during the remaining 3.5 years of my pastorate there. We entered and exited on crushed rock which damaged the ladies’ shoes and developed deep ruts, which became small lakes whenever it rained.
In 1988 I accepted the pastorate of another long-established church and one of the first things I noticed was the paved parking lot! What made the difference? An appreciation for what it had cost someone to pave the way for me and for others (who might never comprehend the sacrifice involved in what they so casually walked upon).
The bottom line is this: We who enjoy “New Wine” should also be mindful of the value of “Old bottles,” as Jesus was, so “both are preserved” (Luke 5:38).
The United Evangelical Churches headquarters are at 813 Union Road, Hollister. For information, visit www.uecol.org, e-mail ad***@***ol.org or call (831) 635-0900.
