Statement of Faith

Cornerstone Community Church

Confession of Faith

  1. Of the Scriptures,

We believe that the Holy Bible as originally written:

    1. Was verbally inspired and the product of God through Spirit controlled men (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
    2. Is Truth without admixture of error (Psalm 119:105, 130, 160; Luke 24:25-27, 44, 45; John 17:17)
    3. Shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme authority by which all human conduct, creed and opinions should be tried. Man in his relationship with God must move from truth to experience and not from experience to truth (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Psalm 119:89; Proverbs 30:5, 6; 1 Peter 1:23; Revelation 22:19; John 12:48; John 1:45-47; John 5:39).
  1. Of the True God,

We believe:

    1. That there is only one living and true God, Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all worship, confidence and love (Exodus 15:11, 20:2, 3; Revelation 4:11).
    2. That in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, equal in every Divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices (Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Ephesians 2:18).
  1. In the Person and Work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe:

    1. In His Absolute Deity, that He was Divine as no other man can be, existing for all eternity and co-equal with the Father and the Spirit (John 1:1-3; Colossians 2:8-10; Hebrews 1:2, 3, 8; Micah 5:2).
    2. That in His voluntary humiliation He did not lay aside His Deity (Matthew 1:21-22, 28:1; Mark 14:61, 62; John 10:30-33, 14:9, 20:28; Colossians 1:15-17; 1 John 1:1, 2, 5:20, Philippians 2:1ff).
    3. That at His incarnation He was miraculously begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary as no other man was or can ever be born (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14).
    4. That the salvation of sinners is wholly of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24, 25) through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God. Who, by appointment of the Father, voluntarily took upon Him the form of a man, was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin in nature or deed, honored the Divine Law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins (John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7, 8; Hebrews 2:14, 4:15; Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10; Isaiah 53:6; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
    5. That His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree (John 10:18; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:11; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:18).
    6. That the blessings of this atonement are given to all who believe from the heart and confess to God this Lord and Savior as their own Lord and Savior. It is the immediate responsibility of man to accept this offer of mercy (Acts 17:30; Romans 10:8-10).
    7. Christ’s bodily resurrection from the tomb (Matthew 28:6, 7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:4-8; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-6; Acts 2:24, 32, 3:15, 4:2; Romans 4:25).
    8. His ascension to the Father’s right hand (Acts 1:9, 11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 10:12).
    9. His present high Priesthood (Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 7:24, 25, 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1).
    10. His future appearing in the air to receive His saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28).
    11. That, having risen bodily from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His Wonderful Person the tenderest sympathies with Divine Perfection, He is in every way the suitable, compassionate, all sufficient Savior and the mediator for His believer priests (Isaiah 53:12; Hebrews 7:25, 9:12-15, 10:10, 12, 14, 18; 1 John 2:2).
  1. In the person of the Holy Spirit,

We believe:

    1. That He is a Divine Person, equal with God the Father and Son, and of the same nature (John 14:16, 17, 26; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14).
    2. That He was active in creation (Genesis 1:1-3).
    3. That in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
    4. That He convicts of sin, of judgment and of righteousness (John 16:8-11).
    5. That He bears witness to and empowers the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony (John 15:26, 27; Acts 5:30-32).
    6. That He is the agent of the New Birth (John 3:5, 6).
    7. That He indwells, seals, baptizes, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps believers until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13, 14, 4:30; John 14:26, 16:13; Acts 11:16; Romans 8:9, 14, 16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:26, 27).
    8. That He never depreciates the completeness that is in Jesus Christ by exalting anyone or anything above or as an addition to Jesus Christ (John 15:26).
    9. That He gives to the believer at salvation gifts of service according to His will (Romans 12:3-8,1 Corinthians 12:1-11) and to be used for the edification of the body (Ephesians 4:16).

 

  1. Of the Devil, or Satan,

We believe that Satan is a distinct personality who:

    1. Was once holy and enjoyed heaven’s honor, but, through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell (Isaiah 14:12-13; Ezekiel 28:15-17).
    2. Drew after him a host of angels (Revelation 12:9; Jude 6).
    3. Is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 John 5:19)).
    4. Is man’s great tempter (1 Peter 5:8).
    5. Is the enemy of God and His Christ (Zechariah 3:1; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 13:25, 37-39; Luke 22:3, 4).
    6. Is the accuser of the saints (Job 1:6-12; Zechariah 3:1; Luke 22:31; Revelation 12:10).
    7. Is the author of all false religions, the chief power promoting the present apostasy (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
    8. Is the author of all the powers of darkness (Revelation 13:13, 14; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11).
    9. Although powerful and to be respected, is not omniscient, omnipotent, nor omnipresent and cannot overcome the believer who is submitting in obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word in Faith (James 4:7; 1 John 4:4).
    10. Is destined to find defeat at the hands of God’s Son, through His death on the cross (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 19:11, 16, 20: Revelation 12:7-9; 20:1-3), and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels (Revelation 20:10-15; Matthew 25:41).
  1. Of the Creation,

We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and:

    1. That it is to be accepted as literal six twenty-four hour days, and not allegorically or figuratively (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Acts 17:23-26).
    2. That man was created directly by God and in God’s own image and after His own likeness (Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 11:7).
    3. That man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through long periods of time from lower to higher forms (Genesis 2:7, 21-23; John 1:3).
    4. That all animal and vegetable life was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through long periods of time from lower to higher forms (Genesis 1:11, 24; Colossians 1:16, 17).
  1. Of Man and His Fall,

We believe:

    1. That man was created in innocence (Genesis 1:26-31).
    2. That by voluntary transgression he fell from his sinless state (Genesis 3).
    3. That consequently, all men are now sinners by inheritance from Adam and by individual choice and until regenerated are dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:10-13; 5:12,19).
    4. That all men are by nature utterly void of the righteousness required by the law of God, and definitely inclined to evil (Romans 3:11; Galatians 3:22; Ephesians 2:1-3).
    5. That man is under just condemnation without defense or excuse (Romans 3:9-20, 23; Romans 1:19, 20, 2:1, 12-15).
    6. That man’s only hope of eternal life is through redemption in Jesus Christ (John 3:3, 5; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Galatians 3:26).
  1. Of Salvation By Grace,

We believe:

    1. That in order to be saved, all men must be born again (John 3:3; Galatians 3:26).
    2. That the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
    3. That the new birth is instantaneous, and not a lengthy process (John 3:5-7; Acts 16:30-33).
    4. That in the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made partaker of the Divine Nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God (2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1, 4-9; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:5).
    5. That the new creation is brought about in a manner above comprehension, not by culture or character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of The Holy Spirit in connection with Divine Truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience by faith in the Gospel (John 1:12, 13, 3:8).
    6. That its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and fruits of the spirit in the finished work and Person of Jesus Christ and in newness of life (Romans 10:8-10; 1 John 5:1-5).
  1. Of Justification,

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification, and:

    1. That justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on the basis of Christ’s righteousness and atonement (Acts 13:39; Romans 5:1, 9, 8:1).
    2. That it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done or ever will do, but solely through faith in Jesus Christ and His righteousness which is imputed to us through this faith (Titus 3:5-7; Romans 4:24, 25, 5:1, 17; Galatians 3:11).
  1. Of the Freeness of Salvation,

We believe:

    1. In God’s electing grace (1 Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 1:1-2).
    2. That salvation is freely offered to all by the Gospel (Romans 10:9-13; Revelation 22:17).
    3. That it is the immediate duty of all to accept this salvation by whole-hearted, penitent and obedient faith (John 3:15-18; 1 Timothy 1:15; Acts 2:37-41; Romans 10:8, 9).
    4. That nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel. A rejection that brings upon man the condemnation of God’s wrath (John 3:18, 36; Romans 1:18, 20, 2:1, 4, 5).

 

  1. Of Repentance and Faith,

We believe that repentance and faith:

    1. Are inseparable graces (Mark 1:15).
    2. Are solemn obligations (Acts 20:21).
    3. Are formed in our souls by the Spirit of God who convicts the believer of guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, so that the believer turns to God with unrestrained repentance, and confesses to God his wholehearted faith in the work and person of the Lord Jesus Christ as his all sufficient Savior (Acts 2:27, 28; Romans 10:9-13).
  1. Of Sanctification,

We believe that biblical sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, the believer is set apart from sin, unto Christ, and has three aspects:

    1. The believer has been set apart positionally before God the moment he believes (1 Corinthians 1:30, 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 10:10, 14).
    2. The believer is being progressively set apart in his daily walk as he grows in grace toward the likeness of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. This growth is accomplished through the continual use of the Word of God, self-examination, watchfulness, prayer and yielding to the Spirit (John 17:17; Romans 8:13; 2 Peter 3:18; Romans 8:28, 29a; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 4:7b; Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 John 3:3; Romans 12:1, 2; Ephesians 4:22, 24).
    3. The believer is to be set apart prospectively from the very presence of sin when his sanctification is completed at the coming of Christ for the church (1 John 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 5:23).
  1. Of the Security of the Believer or Perseverance of the Saints,

We believe this is the design of God’s Divine Plan:

    1. That every person, immediately upon acceptance of Christ as personal Savior and Lord receives eternal life and is made at once a Son of God (1 John 5:11-13; John 1:12).
    2. That believers are kept by the power of God through faith, are kept in a state of grace, and are eternally secure apart from any human works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:38-39).
    3. That true believers are the ones who endure to the end (Philippians 1:6; John 8:31; Revelation 21:7, 8; Ephesians 2:10).
    4. That the believer’s on-going devotion to Christ and their growth in the likeness of Christ are God’s marks which distinguish them from superficial professors (Romans 8:28, 29a; John 14:21-23; John 10:27-29; 1 John 2:19; 5:1-3, 35; Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:11-13; James 2:14-20).

 

  1. Of the Church,

We believe:

    1. That the church universal is a New Testament institution, established by Jesus Christ, who is its sole Head; revealed through the apostles; empowered and perpetuated by the Holy Spirit; His body for service and His bride for glory. It began with the New Testament saints at Pentecost and will be consummated at the coming of Christ in the Rapture (Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:8, 2:1-13, 41-47; Ephesians 1:22, 23, 3:21, 5:23-32; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
    2. That the church universal is manifested through the local church:
    1. Which is a congregation of baptized believers, associated together by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel (Acts 2:41, 42).
    1. Which is observing the ordinances of baptism and communion (1 Corinthians 11:2).
    2. Governed by His laws (Ephesians 1:22, 23).
    3. Which is exercising the gifts, responsibilities and privileges invested in them by His work (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4).
    4. That has the scriptural offices of pastors (elders/bishops) and deacons whose qualification, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures (Acts 14:23, 6:5, 6, 15:23, 20:17-28; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 8-13).
    5. Which has a mission as expressed in the New Testament and abbreviated in Matthew 28:19, 20 and Ephesians 4:11-16.
      • To make individual disciples.
      • To baptize them into a properly organized and functioning local church.
      • To teach them to obey His Word as He has commanded.
      • To equip them for ministry.
    1. That has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit’s direction by the Word (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23, 24; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
    1. That cooperates with other true churches in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel and that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation (Acts 15:22; Jude 2, 3; 2 Corinthians 8:23, 24; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3).
    2. That on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, and of benevolence, the will of the local church following the Word of God is final (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).
  1. Of the Ordinances,

We believe that Christian Baptism is:

    1. The immersion in water of a believer (Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:6; John 3:23; Romans 6:4, 5; Matthew 3:16).
    2. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
    3. To show forth in a solemn testimony and picture of our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:3, 5; Colossians 2:12).
    4. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of our Lord’s death until He comes, by the sacred use of broken bread and juice of the vine as symbols of the price He paid for us (1 Corinthians 11:23-28).

 

  1. Of Eternal Destinies,

We believe that:

    1. There is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (Galatians 3:22, 26; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17, 18; 1 Peter 4:18; Proverbs 11:31).
    2. Only through faith are the truly righteous justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified or set apart by the Spirit of our God in their standing before God (Romans 1:17; 1 Corinthians 15:22; John 5:24; Romans 3:22-24, 4:22-24; Ephesians 1:6, 7).
    3. All such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and are under the curse (1 John 5:19; Galatians 3:10; Romans 6:23, 7:5).
    4. This distinction holds among men both before and after death, in the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost (Matthew 25:34, 41, 46; Luke 9:26, 16:25, 26; John 8:21; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:10-15).
  1. Of Civil Government,

We believe:

    1. That civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society (Romans 13:1-7; Exodus 18:21, 22).
    2. That civil authorities are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed (Matthew 22:21; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13, 14, 17). The only exception to this is in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Acts 4:19, 20, 5:29; Daniel 3:17, 18, 6:10, 11) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth. In this connection we stand firmly for the separation of the church and state (Matthew 22:21, 23:10).
  1. Of the Family,

We believe:

    1. That marriage of a man to a woman is the plan of God and sacred in His sight (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9; Ephesians 5:18-32; 1 Timothy 3:4, 5, 12).
    2. That the roles of husband, wife, parent, and child are clearly defined in Scripture (Ephesians 5:21-32; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
    3. That what God has joined together in marriage should never be dissolved.
    4. That the sexual relationship is sacred and fulfilling only within the bonds of marriage, and is condemned outside the marriage relationship (1 Corinthians 7:3, 4; Hebrews 13:4).
    5. That children are a blessing of God and the responsibility for them rests solely upon the parent. They are to be brought up in loving structured control and conscientious instruction in the truths of God and His principles of life (Psalm 127:3; Ephesians 6:4; Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; Psalm 78:4-7; Proverbs 17:6, 22:6).

 

  1. Of the Resurrection and Related Events,

We believe:

    1. The resurrection of the righteous dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 15:52).
    2. The physical change of the living in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Philippians 3:20, 21).
    3. The believer’s response to God’s Word will be evaluated at the Judgment Seat of Christ for reward or loss (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; Romans 14:10; 2 Timothy 4:8).
    4. Christ’s bodily return to the earth to reign from the throne of David for a literal 1000 years (Matthew 24:29-32; Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Acts 2:29, 30; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Revelation 20:1-4, 6).
    5. The Great White Throne Judgment of the unsaved (Revelation 20:11-15).
    6. In a new heaven and the new earth (Revelation 21:1, 2).

 

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