OVERVIEW OF THE JOURNEY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SONSHIP IN THE FATHER SON WINESKIN WITHIN THE APOSTOLIC REFORMATION
INTRODUCTION INTO THE SONSHIP WINESKIN: A WINESKIN BEING FORMED, NOT JUST TAUGHT
Over the past two decades, the Sonship Wineskin better known as the the Father–son wineskin within the apostolic reformation has undergone a profound journey—moving from terminology to theology, from structure to spirit, and from imitation to authentic formation.
In our observance of this journey, we must resist quick conclusions. This is not merely a model to adopt; it is a life to be discerned. Many believers and leaders have embraced the language of “spiritual fathering” without understanding its covenantal depth, its cost, or its scriptural boundaries.
The question is not whether the wineskin exists—but whether it has been rightly formed, rightly aligned, and rightly understood. That is the question that we need to answer.
The purpose of this blog is to encourage every believer who are walking in the Father son wineskin to evaluate their position and journey at this time and to ensure that their understanding and relationship with the spiritual father or sons is aligned accurately as defined in scripture.
SONSHIP WINESKIN: UNDERSTANDING THE JOURNEY OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES:
SONSHIP WINESKIN: PHASE 1: THE EARLY PHASE (2005–2010): REDISCOVERY OF APOSTOLIC LANGUAGE
The early 2000s marked a resurgence of apostolic and prophetic language in the global Church. Terms like “alignment,” “covering,” “spiritual father,” and “sonship” began to surface with renewed emphasis.
At this stage:
- The wineskin was largely conceptual
- Many drew from Old Testament patriarchal patterns
- There was excitement without full clarity
Foundational Scripture
1 Corinthians 4:15 (NKJV)
“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel.”
This verse became a cornerstone, but sadly often without full contextual application. The distinction between instructors and fathers was emphasized, yet the process of becoming a father or a son was not deeply understood or developed at that time.
Many embraced the concept and even taught the concept without the deeper understanding of what it truly entails.
During this time we saw that many believers and leaders confused spiritual authority with relational fatherhood. Authority was assumed through their position as spiritual fathers rather than proven through a life of sacrifice and investment in the lives of their sons.
SONSHIP WINESKIN: PHASE 2: THE STRUCTURAL PHASE (2010–2015): THE BUILDING OF NETWORKS AND ALIGNMENTS
As the Father son movement matured, networks began forming. We saw the formation of apostolic hubs, relational coverings, and the
establishment of trans local families.
This phase emphasized:
- The alignment of sons under spiritual fathers
- Submission and obedience to the spiritual father was emphasized as a key principle in this time
- Great emphasis was placed on the expansion of apostolic “families”
Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV)
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
While valid, we saw that this scripture was sometimes applied in a hierarchical rather than relational context within the Father son wineskin.
OBJECTIVE INSIGHT: STRUCTURAL STRENGTH BUT RELATIONAL WEAKNESS
Herein lies a critical observation. The structure advanced faster than character was developed. Many systems were built, but:
- Sons aligned externally without inward transformation taking place
- Fathers led without a deep relational investment in the lifes of those that the fathered
- Submission was practiced as being the correct thing to do but this took place often without mutual covenant between the father and son
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 NKJV
(7) But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
(8) So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
This reveals something often missed in this phase of the development of the wineskin:
True fathering is not control—it is the impartation of life.
SONSHIP WINESKIN: PHASE 3: THE CORRECTION PHASE (2015–2020): CONFRONTING ABUSE AND MISALIGNMENT
With spiritual growth came exposure. As a direct result we see that the Church began to confront:
- Authoritarian leadership
- Misuse and the abuse of submission
- Spiritual manipulation under the guise of fatherhood
This phase brought about the necessary correction.
Matthew 23:8–10 (NKJV)
(8) But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
(9) Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
(10) And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
This passage forced a re-evaluation of the practical application of the Father son Wineskin:
- It was not a rejection of spiritual fathering
- It was a correction of the use of titles without the substance
Hidden Factor: Identity Crisis
Many who rejected the wineskin did so not because it was unbiblical—but because it was misrepresented and not a true reflection of scriptural fathering.
Others clung to it defensively, unwilling to acknowledge their error.
The deeper issue at hand is that Sonship cannot function where identity in Christ is not secure in the heart and life of a son.
SONSHIP WINESKIN: PHASE 4: THE MATURING PHASE (2020–PRESENT): FROM STRUCTURE TO SUBSTANCE
The maturing phase is not merely a refinement of language—it is a deep internal recalibration of the wineskin itself. What began as external alignment is now being weighed in the scales of authentic sonship, spiritual legitimacy, and Christ-centered identity.
The wineskin now deals now not with systems, but with hearts, motives, and the spiritual DNA of the believer.
In recent years, a more clearly refined and defined understanding on the Father son wineskin has emerged. The focus has shifted toward:
- Authentic relationship over positional authority
- Covenant over control
- Formation over function
Sonship is Defined by the Spirit, Not by Association
The greatest shift in this phase is this:
Sonship is no longer validated by who you are connected to, but by who you are becoming in Christ.
Romans 8:14–15 (NKJV)
(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
(15) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
SONSHIP WINESKIN: THE CHALLENGE
The true test of the Father–son wineskin is not in what we profess, but in what we produce.
Fathers must ask themselves: Am I raising sons who reflect Christ in nature, or merely followers who reflect me in function? Have I imparted my life, or simply extended my influence?
Sons must equally stand before the mirror of truth and ask: Am I submitted out of covenant and conviction, or out of convenience and dependence? Am I growing into spiritual maturity, or hiding within the security of alignment?
The wineskin cannot sustain itself on language, loyalty, or structure—it is proven only through transformation.
2 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV
(18) “I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.”
Therefore, the standard is not one another, but God Himself. Where there is no true fathering, heaven does not bear witness; where there is no authentic sonship, heaven does not affirm.
THE QUESTION IS NO LONGER WHETHER WE BELONG TO THE WINESKIN—BUT WHETHER THE WINESKIN IS TRULY BEING FORMED WITHIN US.
