OUR BELIEFS

The Word of God

We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, was written by men who were inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. It is without error and therefore trustworthy as the final authority in faith and life. 

(Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21)

The Trinity

We believe that there is one God, externally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

(Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:18; John 1:1-3; John 14:26)

God the Father

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

(Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; John 6:27; 1 Timothy 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6)

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, whose ministry on earth included living a perfect, sinless life, His teachings, service and miracles, and dying as a redeeming substitute for our sins. After being buried, He was bodily resurrected and ascended to the right hand of the Father, where he now serves as our perfect high priest, through whom we have access to the Father, and as our King, who will one day return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead.

(Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:5; John 1:14; Acts 2:29-36; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 10:19-22; Philippians 2:6-11;

1 Thessalonians 4:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 1 Timothy 2:5)

The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide.

(Ezekiel 36:27; John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26-27; John 16:9-14; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 5:18)

God's Sovereignty

We believe in the sovereignty of God in all matters, including salvation. We believe that Scripture clearly teaches the election of man. We also believe that we are responsible to live out our faith and to take the good news of the gospel to others. We see biblically and in practice that when these truths are handled with grace they bring a high view of God and a love for each other.

(Ephesians 1:4-5; Acts 13:48; John 6:44; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 2:9)

Man

We believe that man was created in the image of God. We believe that man was tempted by Satan, fell under the influence of sin, became disobedient to God and was helpless to restore himself.

(Genesis 1:26-28; John 3:15-17; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 3:5-10)

Salvation

We believe that salvation is only by grace, not by works, and is received by faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, thereby permitting us to be reconciled to God. We believe that faith is evident by the fruit of the Holy Spirit, denying yourself, taking up your cross, following and treasuring Jesus, and obedience.

(Mark 8:34; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10, 13)

Eternal Life

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth. We believe in the resurrection of both those who believe in Jesus Christ and those who do not believe; those who believe to eternal life with Christ and those who do not believe to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire.

(Matthew 16:27; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; 2 Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 

1 Corinthians 15:1-58; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 11-15)

Marriage

We believe that God created marriage in the Garden of Eden. It is a purposeful union between one man and one woman that exists for God's glory as a picture of the covenant between Christ and His bride, the Church. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

(Genesis 2:22-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4)

The Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the elderly, the physically or mentally disabled, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.

(Psalm 139)

Two Sacraments

We believe the Bible has set forth two sacraments, which Christians are urged to practice. We observe the Lord's Supper, or Communion, each Sunday morning. Communion is a purposeful identification of the body of Christ with the death and resurrection of Christ. It is a unique and blessed participation and fellowship with the Lord and should be taken in a worthy and worshipful manner. We practice baptism by immersion as a picture of Christ's accomplished work in the believer's heart.

(Matthew 26:26-27; Acts 2:42; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

Leadership

We believe that elders are responsible to provide leadership to the church by visiting the sick, judging doctrinal issues, teaching, preaching, protecting, exhorting, and praying.

(James 5:13-15; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 20:28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Cornerstone Community Church's faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our board of elders is Cornerstone Community Church's final interpretive authority on the Bible's meaning and application.