What We Believe

God is the loving Creator and Ruler of all that exists, both seen and unseen, existing eternally as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—united in essence yet distinct in person, with infinite power, wisdom, and goodness. He reigns over all things with providential care, passionately desiring a relationship with humanity through faith and service. To Him we owe our highest love, reverence, and obedience.

(Genesis 1:1,26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 14:6-9; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 4:9-10)

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine and co-equal with the Father, who became human through the virgin birth, lived a sinless life, and perfectly revealed God's will. He died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins, rose from the dead after three days, ascended to heaven, and will return in power to judge the world and complete His redemptive work. Through Him, we are reconciled to God, and He now dwells in believers as their living Lord.

(Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 1:13-22; Hebrews 4:14-15; Titus 2:13)

The Holy Spirit is fully divine and co-equal with the Father and Son, sent to live within believers to convict the world of sin, guide into truth, and empower for godly living. He regenerates believers at salvation, bestows spiritual gifts for service, fosters Christ-like character, and seals them until final redemption. Through Him, Christians experience unity, comfort, and strength in worship, evangelism, and daily life.

(John 14:16-17,26, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)

The Bible is God's inspired and infallible Word, written by human authors under the Holy Spirit's guidance without any error, serving as the supreme source of truth for beliefs and living. It reveals God's message for salvation, centered on Jesus Christ, and should be studied, understood, and applied. As the ultimate standard, it judges all human conduct, creeds, and opinions. God's unchangeable Biblical message ought to be presented in relevant and contemporary ways, free or religious jargon, and understandable to the people in our community.

(Psalm 119:105,160; Matthew 5:17-19; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:22-25; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

People are made in God's image with inherent dignity and value at conception, designed to reflect His character and live in relationship with Him. God created man and woman as distinct but equal and complementary partners in His mission, together reflecting His image as the crowning work of creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin” (failing to live by God’s moral standards), which separates them from God and causes them to experience the destructive consequences of that broken relationship, spiritually and socially, in this life and beyond. Only God's grace can restore this broken relationship and enable fulfillment of His purpose.

(Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18-25; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-10)

Salvation is God's free gift, rescuing people from sin's consequences through Jesus Christ's death on the cross, offered to all who repent and trust in Him alone. It involves regeneration, where sinners are spiritually reborn; justification, declaring them righteous before God; sanctification, enabling growth in holiness; and glorification, the final perfected state. Good works and a holy life flow naturally from true faith but cannot earn salvation. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

(John 1:12, 3:16, 14:6; Romans 3:23-25, 5:1, 6:23, 10:9-10; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; James 2:14-26)

True believers, once saved by God's grace through faith in Christ, are eternally secure and will persevere to the end, kept by God's power rather than their own efforts. While believers may sin and face consequences, they cannot lose salvation, as it is maintained by God's faithfulness. This assurance promotes humility and reliance on Him.

(John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

People are created to exist forever, either eternally separated from God in Hell by sin or eternally with God in Heaven through forgiveness in Christ. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence, with the unrighteous facing everlasting punishment and the righteous receiving glorified bodies and eternal reward. This culminates in Christ's return, the resurrection of the dead, and final judgment.

(John 3:16; 5:24; Romans 6:23; 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9; 15:51-54; Revelation 20:15; 21:1-4)

Christians are called to build genuine relationships. To that end, we express our strong value of community by seeking to reach out and connect with a diverse group of people. We want to be personal and caring in a world that is increasingly fragmented and impersonal. True community fosters mutual support, interdependence, and love, fulfilling rather than denying our humanity as we serve one another. This reflects God's design for believers to live in harmony, bearing one another's burdens.

(John 15:12; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:3-18; Galatians 6:1-5,10; Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

A Fresh Wind recognizes diversity among Christians in nonessential areas. We do not press for uniformity in these areas, but rather encourage people to search the scriptures, seek balance, mutual understanding, humility, and love. Additionally, we seek to respect one another’s differences without a quarrelsome, arrogant, or divisive spirit. Unity is rooted in the Great Commandment to love God and one another, respecting differences without compromising essential truths. This promotes harmony and mutual understanding among believers.

(Romans 14:1-15:7; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 4:3-4; Philippians 2:1-5; 2 Timothy 2:14-17,23-26; James 3:13-17)