The Infilling With The Holy Spirit Compared To New Wine

Meaning of New Wine

In biblical times, new wine referred to freshly fermented wine that had not yet aged. The process of winemaking began with grape harvesting, which was a communal and celebratory event. Grapes were carefully cultivated and picked at peak ripeness to ensure the best quality for fermentation. 

Once harvested, the grapes were crushed and pressed often by foot, to extract the juice. This juice was then placed in clay jars or wineskins, where natural yeasts from the grape skins initiated fermentation. 

Unlike aged wine, new wine was young and potent, often still undergoing fermentation, making it more volatile and prone to expansion. This is why Jesus referenced the importance of using new wineskins for new wine—to prevent bursting due to fermentation gases.

New wine was symbolic in biblical texts, often representing renewal, abundance, and spiritual transformation. It was distinct from aged wine, which had mellowed over time and developed deeper flavors. 

The Infilling With The Holy Spirit Compared To New Wine | Audio

Effects Of Alcohol On The Brain

Alcohol affects the brain in various ways, impacting different regions responsible for cognition, coordination, and emotional regulation.  Just as new wine can affect specific brain regions, the infilling with the Holy Spirit literally changes functions.

Listen to the video to understand fully.

Here’s an overview of alcohol effects on the brain:

Effects of Alcohol on Specific Areas Of Brain 

1. **Frontal Lobe** – Responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and problem-solving. Alcohol can impair judgment, reduce inhibitions, and lead to poor decision-making.

2. **Limbic System** – Governs emotions and memory. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to emotional instability and memory loss.

3. **Cerebellum** – Controls balance and coordination. Alcohol disrupts motor functions, causing clumsiness and difficulty walking.

4. **Hippocampus** – Essential for memory formation. Heavy drinking can cause blackouts and long-term memory deficits.

5. **GABA System** – Alcohol acts as a GABA-A receptor agonist, relaxing the brain but also impairing cognitive function.

6. **Overall Brain Volume** – Chronic alcohol use can lead to brain shrinkage, affecting both gray and white matter.

The Infilling With The Holy Spirit Compared To New Wine - Acts 2: 1 - 12

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: