Blog Rewind - “New Wine Needs a New Wineskin” by Henry Hon

There is a summary bullet list below highlighting the key points from the blog concerning the Jesus revival and the need for a new “wineskin” written by Henry Hon in March 2023. This blog was written in response to the Jesus Revolution movie that had just opened in February of that year. Recently, there have been many good “faith” movies released. My wife and I saw one of those entitled “The Last Rodeo,” and previously there were several in the series of “The Chosen” that have been released around Resurrection Sunday this year that were well attended, along with several others recently. Why are so many believers in Jesus drawn to these films? Well, maybe it is because there is such a glut of lousy (as in morally repugnant) shows on television and all the streaming services that Christians are just sick of.  So, when they see these films (that are getting better and better as far as quality goes) they head out to view them. 

But maybe there is another answer. Back to the movie that prompted Henry to write the blog two years ago. It was about a return to the raw energy, organic life and love, and the effective witness of Christians that we all have been reading about in the book of Acts, and secretly hope to experience in our day. Maybe we just want to scratch our itch for true revival, or maybe we just want to catch a glimpse of it vicariously. 

I believe that there is a deposit in us that cries out for that “real” expression of koinonia–of agape, of the true Holy Spirit empowered, guided and fruitful life, bubbling up and overflowing, just as Jesus promised. I think that this desire is legitimate. I do not think it is only based on a “feeling” or a vibe or reliving the past. I think it is part of what He has written on our hearts, and poured into us, by His Spirit. The problem, as Henry wrote about in that March 2023 blog, is that the minute a revival starts there is an endemic effort to capture it and make it behave “as it should.”  To be “endemic” means something that is already part of the landscape–it lives there and has for some time. 

The traditions of men, especially in the area of religion, become endemic when they are practiced for a long time. They become part of the fabric. They become so “normal” we do not see them anymore. Please read the summary below of the blog OBL published in 2023. Identify the ‘fabric” that veils the truth that Jesus said would set us free. After reading through the summary, follow the link and read the entire blog for yourself. Then follow the Spirit’s lead and bust out of that shroud. Get to work. Enjoy the freedom that the tearing down of the veil in the temple, that Jesus pulled off from the cross, accomplished for you. Be part, and take part, in what Jesus said He would build…(it is not ‘church’). 

(Quick note: I know many today are not "into" reading and as much as I want to change that if it is true. So...you have the "answers to the test" in the summary below. But, if you really want to know the author's heart and mind more fully, then cement these things into your heart and mind and read the whole blog in the link below! Ok...I will stop preaching...for a minute)

Summary: "Revival and the Need for New Wineskin"

• Personal Revival Roots: Here Henry recalls his own personal awakening during the Jesus Movement and sees connections to current revivals like Asbury. Bottom line: a revival in and of itself is a good thing (but...well, keep reading.)

• God’s Generosity with the Spirit: God freely pours out His Spirit—revivals recur worldwide, not due to God’s limitation, but due to human response.

• Revival Fades Without Structural Change: Historically, revivals end without lasting transformation because they revert to old religious structures and divisions.

• Jesus’ Warning – New Wine Requires New Wineskin (Mark 2:22):

  • New wine = The Spirit of Christ in resurrection power.

  • Old wineskin = Old Covenant structures (temples, priesthoods, separation, and legalism).

  • Without new wineskin, the Spirit’s work is wasted and division persists.

• Old Wineskin Still Dominates Modern Christianity:

  • Church as a place/building, clergy-laity separation, fixed liturgies, and divisive doctrines mirror Old Covenant worship.

• The New Wineskin = The Ekklesia:

  • A diverse, participatory, Spirit-filled Body.

  • Not bound to buildings or clergy; all believers function equally.

  • Based on love, unity, and open sharing (1 Cor. 14; Eph. 4).

• Historical Failures Reinforced by Translation Choices:

  • “Church” misrepresents Jesus’ word “ekklesia” (democratic assembly).

  • Tyndale’s resistance to this mistranslation cost him his life.

• Institutionalization Undermines Revival:

  • Jesus Movement’s impact diminished when absorbed by churches.

  • Asbury revival shows the same limitation—contained by the building.

• The Path Forward:

  • Churches can equip, but must not divide or dominate.

  • Believers need to live out the Ekklesia—house-to-house, Spirit-led, and loving across differences.

• Oneness Is the Goal of Revival:

  • John 13–17 shows revival begins in love, but must lead to oneness.

  • Without new wineskin (ekklesia), revival will fade into “loving those who love you” after believers "are settled back in their divided churches."

Here is the link to that blog from March of 2023 by Henry Hon:https://www.onebody.life/post/copy-of-new-wine-needs-a-new-wineskin-by-henry-hon

(Please comment here about how the "fabric" of tradition has been a part of your experience and how Jesus has lifted that veil. Also please copy the url of this blog and share on your social media--that would really help spread this message)