The Restoration of the Book of Acts Church
A Prophetic Word
The restoration of the Book of Acts Church; the Old Wineskin being removed as the New Wineskin emerges.
As I prayed, I felt The Holy Spirit impress upon me that the old Wineskin is being removed.
Some are ministries that were erected in the spirit of man, and not The Holy Spirit.
We need to be cautious to not determine what these are, and allow The Holy Spirit to do what He does best.
Our God is holy and calls us to be the same. We know as Christians, we do not have the ability to be holy, but because He lives in us, by His Holy Spirit, the capacity to do so exists ONLY by His nature through us if we yield to The Holy Spirit.
We, as believers in Christ, clearly understand that it’s by way of choosing to crucify our flesh. It is by His strength alone and certainly not of our own. It is an act of volition.
The exposure happening in The Church is going to happen.
We are witnessing the Old Wineskin being graciously removed. I say graciously, because it is God’s Grace to bring whats in darkness to light.
What came to mind is when Peter, who considered himself close to Jesus, and strong in his faith, denied Christ, three times.
Jesus already knew this was going to happen and He did not condemn Peter but warned him about it.
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” ” Matthew 26:31-34.
Peter did not know, nor ever thought he would fail Jesus. To Peter, he would never fall into sin by lying about his knowing His Savior, mentor, friend, Jesus. But it happened!
Have you ever been there? I have!
By God’s Grace, I have been shown my pious criticism towards a brother or sister who fell, while thinking my sin is somehow less. Yuck!
I thank God for His Grace and being able to be restored to Him daily. His Mercies are truly new every morning. I would not be here otherwise.
The good news is Peter passed the test even though he failed — by recognizing his deceitful heart and turned to Christ.
in his weakness he saw how broken he was. He repented and became what The LORD called him to be.
The New Wineskin is emerging!
All the exposure we are witnessing of hidden sins in leaders in The Body of Christ — which includes me and you — is making way for the New Wineskin to emerge.
The old Wineskin — the way The Church functioned — has become obsolete, because it forgot its origins.
I often wonder why we are surprised and offended by the exposures, and how God is allowing the re- building of the Book of Acts Church.
The word is clear…
“For there is nothing hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come out into the open.” Luke 8:17 AMP
Exposure doesn’t happen so that we shame each other or gossip, but it’s a place for us to stand in the gap and pray for restoration.
If we are directly involved, we restore or be restored.
Being sober-minded as a Christian keeps us aware that, we too, can fail.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2.
I saw the Old Wineskin being removed…
A few years ago during worship at a Church I used to attend, I saw just above The Body of Christ there, a massive, crusty like Old Wineskin being peeled away by The LORD’s Hand — and a beautiful, supple one coming into view.
The New Wineskin was plump and obviously filled with Mew Wine!
I smelled a sweet wine smell — whereas the Old Wineskin had a bitter wine smell — as it was being peeled away.
I kept singing and I heard The Holy Spirit say, “The Old Wineskin is being peeled away!”
I got the impression that the peeling away was going to be a painful process.
The Holy Spirit showed me that the present Church was not The Book of Acts Church. It was lost to the man-made erected structures and man’s rule.
I also noted the softness of the beautiful New Wine I heard the word, “Supple!”
Supple : means, according to a Google definition : Capable of being bent or folded without creases, cracks, or breaks : pliant. supple leather. b : able to perform bending or twisting movements with ease : limber. supple.
The softness of the New Wineskin to our Savior, will foster The Church becoming the Bride of Christ.
We will walk in integrity and purity ushering in the return of Christ.
Exposure is never a comfortable process — but it’s necessary.
If Peter was never exposed, he would have never become, Peter in Christ.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? But I, The LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10.
Exposure is God’s grace and mercy and is just — Justice for both perpetrator and those wronged.
I know we as a people don’t feel good about what’s being exposed in The Church and in our own lives, yet so much good will come from it.
It’s truly God’s Grace and mercy on His Church.
We should love God’s Justice as much as we love His Grace and Mercy.
He is Holy and Loving. His Holiness is why we fear Him.
Fearing Him is wisdom. The process of becoming the pure and spotless Bride for us as The Church is not an easy one as The New Wineskin will also be persecuted by the religious.
I am just encouraging myself — and you — to choose to be wise and loving in how we handle each other in this season.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me love like You and see what You are doing as good in this transitional season in Your body.
I repent of my ways that prevent me from being supple and usable in Your hands.
I want to receive The New Wine You are pouring into us as we are becoming Your Bride.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does The LORD require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?” Micah 6:8.
~ Christianna Schreifels
Christianna Anastasia Schreifels is a See and Dreamer who has served with YWAM in over 24 countries as a missionary for over 10 years. She has taught and equipped The Body of Christ for over 20 years about prophecy and dream interpretation based on the foundation of Scripture.
Good word and shared.