The following is a summary of the main points of our beliefs:
About God –
God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are co-equal and are one God.
(Genesis 1:1,26, 27; Deuteronomy 6:4, Psalm 90:2; Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Corinthians 8:6)
About Jesus Christ –
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
(Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14, 14:10-30); Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1Timothy 6:14; Titus 2:13)
About the Holy Spirit –
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need to believe in Jesus Christ. He lives in every believer from the moment of salvation. He provides the believer with power, understanding, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every Christian spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18)
About the Bible –
The Bible is God’s word to us. People who were divinely inspired by God wrote it. It is absolutely true, without error, and the final authority for all beliefs and lifestyles.
(Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21)
About People -
We believe that humans were made perfect, in the image of God, but by voluntary sin fell from that holy and happy state. As a result, all mankind are now sinners, utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, and positively inclined to evil. Therefore, all people are under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6, 59:1,2; Romans 1:18-32, 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3)
About Salvation –
Even though we are separated from God by sin, we can be reconciled with Him by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, which is the only way to receive eternal salvation. It cannot be earned by self-improvement or by good works. It it God’s free gift of grace to every person who personally accepts it.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 1:12, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38)
About Eternal Security –
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have genuinely believed, you cannot ‘lose’ your salvation. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.
(John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
About Eternity –
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally present with God is eternal life and Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
(John 2:25; 3:16, 5:11-13, 14:2,3; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8)
• Cornerstone is a cooperating member of the Southern Baptist Convention.
• We accept and affirm “The Baptist Faith and Message, 2000” as an affirmation of basic Christian beliefs and a general statement of our faith.
• For more information about specific areas of theology, please visit our Resources page.