Old Wineskins (Part 1)

When Jesus began His ministry, He met much opposition. Some people did not accept the new teachings even though they were based on Old Testament truths. Others did not accept the miracles He performed.  When some men were called to discipleship, they refused to follow.  Many of the religious leaders were bound by tradition and refused to change.

Satan always opposes God's purpose and plans. Whenever you implement a new plan of ministry in harmony with Gods purpose, you will face opposition.  Jesus said:

Matthew 9:16, 17 "No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles:  else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish; but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved."
 
Jesus indicated it is sometimes impossible for existing, traditional religious structures of men to accept new plans and revelations.  Jesus found this true in His own ministry, as did the Apostle Paul. You will also find it true. You will experience opposition from both without and within existing religious organizations.

When you encounter such opposition, follow the patterns set by Jesus and Paul. They both worked within the existing religious structure as far as possible. They attended  synagogue services regularly and ministered as they were permitted.  They did not destroy the old religious structures. They let them continue to exist. But they did not let tradition or opposition, even from religious leaders, hinder the new things God was doing.

When rejected by the traditional structure, both Jesus and Paul took their ministry outside the synagogue. They raised up "new wineskins.” These new believers were eager to receive  the new revelation and new organizational structures [the first Church]. They were able to contain the "new wine.”  To put it another way, spiritually speaking, it is possible to "raise the dead.”..and God does do this on occasion.  But it is far easier to bring a new child into the world!