Many factors make up a church; the people, the pastor, the ministries, etc. But what is at its core? What beliefs direct this local church? A Statement of Faith summarizes a church's view of the Bible and its importance in the lives of believers. Below are crucial topics in the Bible and the stance of Cornerstone Baptist Church on these subjects.

We believe that the canon of scripture consists of the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. This completed volume of sixty-six books was written over a period of thirteen hundred years by forty different men, yet the Bible displays a unity throughout of content, theme and purpose. We believe that the continuity of Scripture is the result of the Holy Spirit's work in the lives of the authors. The authors of Scripture were men of God who were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Thus, without violating the individual styles and personalities of the various authors, the result of this process is God's Word. God is the Source, the Holy Spirit is the Agent and select individuals were the vessels by which the Scriptures have come to us. Therefore, the Bible is God's inspired revelation to man and is infallible and inerrant. As such, it comes to us a final authority in all areas of faith and practice (2Tim.3:16; 2Pet.1:20-21).

We believe that there is one God who is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent and eternally self-existing in the three persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The persons of the godhead are one in nature, attributes, power and glory. (Gen.1:1,26; Deut.6:4; Prov.30:4; Mk.12:29; Mt.28:19; 2Cor.13:14; Jn.1:1-4,14,18; Acts 5:3,4)

A. The Person of Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ exists eternally and equally with the Father and Holy Spirit as the second member of the trinity (Micah 5:2; Jn.1:1-2; Heb.1:8; 13:8). He has revealed Himself pre-incarnate through theophanies as the Angel of the Lord (Gen.16:10-11; Ex.3:2-6; 14:19; 1Cor.10:4. In the fullness of time, God revealed Himself through the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal.4:4). Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (Mt.1:18-25; Lk.1:26-35; Isa.7:14).
B. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ
We believe that the union of God and man in the virgin birth resulted in the one person of Jesus Christ. He is one theanthropic person, yet retains the two distinct natures of humanity and divinity without mixture or deletion (Rom.1:3-4; Mk.5:24-34; Mt.26:39; Jn.5:30).
The incarnation is characterized by the voluntary subordination of Jesus Christ to the will of the Father and the leading of the Holy Spirit (Mt.26:39; Jn.3:34; 5:30; 8:29). Jesus Christ gave up His position of glory and the individual exercise of his attributes to be humiliated in His identification with the human race in order to provide redemption (Jn.17:5; Phil.2:5-8; Jn.5:30).
Christ's life was and is characterized by impeccability as a result of the incarnation. He is free from original sin and personal sin (2Cor.5:21; Heb.4:15; 7:26; 9:28; 1Pet.2:22; 3:18; 1Jn.3:5).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third member of the trinity. he shares the same essential attributes and characteristics of personality with the Father and Son. (Ps.139:7-12; Lk.1:35; Acts 1:8; 5:34, 1Cor.2:10-12; Heb.9:14)
We believe that the Holy Spirit does not now speak from Himself or of Himself. He speaks whatever He hears (Jn.16:13; Acts 13:2) and has come into the world for the purpose of glorifying Christ (Jn.16:14). The Holy Spirit works in the unbelieving world by convicting the unbeliever of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn.16:7-11), and by restraining the evil purposes of men (2Thess.2:6-8). The Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer by calling (Rom1:6-7; 8:30; Eph.4:4; 1Pet.2:9), regenerating (Titus 3:5), baptizing (1Cor.12:13), sealing (Eph.1:13-14; 4:30; 2Cor.1:22), indwelling (Rom.8:9; 1Cor.6:19), gifting (1Cor.12:4-11; Ex.31:3) and anointing (1Jn.2:20,27: Jn.14:16,26). These are all simultaneous works of the Holy spirit which occur at the time of conversion. The Holy Spirit continues to work in the life of the believer after conversion by filling (Lk.1:41,67; Acts 2:4; 4:8,31; 9:17; 13:9; Eph.5:18), interceding (Rom.8:26-27), comforting (Jn.14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7), witnessing (Rom.8:16; 1Jn.5:10) and illuminating (1Cor.2:12-14).
We believe that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to each individual at the time of their baptism into the Body of Christ (Rom.12:6; 1Cor.12:7,11; Eph.4:7). These gifts are given for the purpose of building the body of Christ (Eph.4:12). Some gifts were given to the church on a temporary basis. The apostles and prophets served to lay the foundation of the church (Eph.2:20).
The revelatory gifts of prophecy, tongues and knowledge ceased with the completion of the New Testament canon (1Cor.13:8-10; Rev.22:18-19).
The miraculous gifts of the Spirit were given to the church for the purpose of validating the message of the apostles (Acts 3; 5:12-16) and to identify the inauguration of the church in history (Acts 2). Furthermore, the revelatory gifts were necessary to provide the needed information and direction for this new entity until the New Testament was available to the church (1Cor.14:31).

We believe that angels are incorporeal, asexual beings who were created in a sinless state by God. They possess personality, immortality and superior power and intelligence to humans, yet they remain finite beings. Their purpose involves the worship of God and the administering of His will in relation to man and the created order. (Neh.9:6; Ps.133:20, 104:4; Gen.1:31; 2Pet.2:11; Mt.22:30; 24:36; Isa.6:1-3; Heb.1;14; Acts 12:23)
We believe that Satan is a personal being who was created by God as the highest ranking angel in a state of sinlessness. He became the original sinner and the father of iniquity when he willfully led a rebellion against God. As the god of this world, his primary activity is to oppose God, the purposes of God and the people of God. He is aided in his ungodly purposes by a multitude of angels who fell from their original position along with Satan. (Ez.28:11-19; Isa.14:12-14; 2Cor.4:4; Jn.8:44; Lk.8:26-38)

We believe that man was created by God in His own image Gen.1:26-27). This image involves intellect, emotion and will and is expressed in man's relationship to God, to other men and to the earth (Gen.1:28). These relationships were characterized by holiness and righteousness based upon a true knowledge of God. After the fall, man is still in God's image (Gen.9:6; Col.3:10; Jam.3:9). However, his relationships are now characterized by unholiness and unrighteousness based upon a false or partial knowledge of God (1Cor.13:12). Adam was the representative head of the human race. Therefore his moral choice represented all men as did the consequences of his choice. Man fell as a result of Adam's moral choice to disobey God (Gen.3:1-6). Man's relationships to God, man and the earth were now characterized by alienation (Gen.3:7-13, 17-19). Man experienced immediate spiritual death and subsequent physical death. (Gen.2:17; 3:22-24; 5:5)

Sin is rebellion and disobedience against God's law and will (Rom.1:18-25). It reflects the relationship of ungenerate humanity with the Devil (Jn.8:44; Eph.2:2; 1Jn.3:8,10) and is revealed in the lives of men by thoughts (Mt.5:28), words (Eph.4:31) and deeds (Gal.5:19-21) which are contrary to God's character and revealed will for man. Sin entered the world through the sin of Adam (Gen.2:16-17; 3:6) Sin became an inherent part of Adam's nature and was imputed to his progeny (Rom.5:12; 15-19; 1Cor.15:22; Eph.2:1-3). Sin is part of existence. All men are sinners because of their relationship to Adam (Ps.51:5; Rom.5:12; 1Cor.15:22). Sin is part of experience. All men are sinners because they commit personal acts of sin (Ps.14:1-3; Isa.64:6: Ecc.7:20; Rom.3:23: 1Jn.1:10). Humanity's sinfulness has resulted in the wrath, judgment and condemnation of God (Jn.3:36; Rom1:18; 5:16,18).

We believe that salvation is God's decreed plan (Acts 2:23; 4:28; Eph.1:4) to provide reconciliation (2Cor.5:18-19) to the human race based upon the atoning work of Jesus Christ. (Heb.9:27-28; 1Pet.1:18-19) We believe that salvation is the result of man responding in faith and repentance to the call of the Holy Spirit (Jn.10:16, 27-29; Rom.8:28-30; 2Tim.1:9; 1Pet.1:15; Acts 2:37-38; 20-21; 26:20; 2Cor.7:10; Rom.3:25; 10:9-10). Salvation is the combined result of regeneration (Jn.1:13: 3:3; Eph.2:1,5; Col.2:13), justification (Rom.3:24; 5:1,9,18; 8:30), reconciliation (2Cor.5:18-19; Eph.1:5), sanctification (1Cor.1:2, 30; 6:11), glorification (Rom.8:18,30) and eternal security (Jn.10:27-29; Rom.8:35-39; Eph.1:13-14; 4:30).

A. The Nature of the Church
We believe that a local, New Testament church is a body of baptized believers, organized for worship, instruction, fellowship, the observance of the New Testament ordinances and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. (Acts 2:38-47; 8:12; 10:47-48; 22:16: 1Cor.1:2; Eph.1:1; Phil.1:1; Acts 6:1-7; 15:1-35; 1Cor.11:23-26; Mt.28:18-20; Acts 14:21-23; Eph.4:11-16).
We believe that the universal church or Body of Christ is comprised of all church age believers, both living and dead, whose head is Jesus Christ (1Cor.12:13; Eph.1:22-23; Col.1:18: 1Thess.4:13-18).
We believe the church age was inaugurated on the Day of Pentecost and will conclude with the rapture (Acts 2; 10:44-48; 1Thess.4:13-18).
B. The Organization of the Church
We believe that the New Testament church is represented by an indigenous, autonomous, congregational government which is self-governing (Mt.18:15-17; Acts 6:1-7 ), self-supporting (Acts 11:27-30) and self-propagating (Acts 13:1-3; 14:21-23; 26-28; Rev.2-3).
C. The Ordinances of the Church
We believe that believer's baptism (by immersion) and the Lord's Supper are the two ordinances which are to be celebrated by the church (Mt.28:18-20; Acts 2:38, 41; Rom.6:3-10; Col.2:12; Lk.22:14-20, 24:30-31: Acts 2:42; 1Cor.11:23-32).
D. The Offices of the Church
We believe there are two offices which are to be recognized by the church.
1. Pastor/Elder/Bishop is a single office of the church.
a. Pastor - emphasizes the shepherding aspect of this office. The shepherd feeds and cares for his flock (Eph.4:11; 1Pet.5:2-4).
b. Elder - emphasizes the qualification required for this office. The elder is one who is mature in judgment and worthy of an authoritative position (1Tim.5:17).
c. Bishop - emphasizes the administrative, organizational aspect which this office entails. The bishop provides oversight of the church (Acts 20:28; 1Tim.3:4-5; 5:17; Titus 1:5-8).
2. Deacon - The deacons are servants who assist the pastor as care-givers to the congregation (Acts 6:1-6; 1Tim.3:8-10).

We believe the next event in God's unfolding plan of redemptive history will be the imminent (Phil.3:20; Titus 2:13), pretribulational (Rom.5:9; 1Thess.5:9; 2Thess.2:3-8; Rev.3:10; 4:1) return of Christ for his church (1Cor.15:42-57; 1Thess.4:13-18).
We believe the heavenly events which follow the rapture are the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
A. The Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom.14:10-12; 1Cor.3:12-15: 2Cor.5:8-10).
1. Rewards will be given for faithfulness (1Cor.9:25; 1Thess.2:19; 2Tim.4:8; Jam.1:12; 1Pet.5:4).
2. Loss of rewards will result from unfaithfulness (Col.2:18; 3:24-25: 2Jn.8; Rev.3:11).
B. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Mt.25:1-13; Lk.7:27-28; Jn.3:29; Eph.5:22-29; Rev.19:7-10).
We believe that the earthly event which follows the rapture is the Great Tribulation. This seven year period is characterized by the outpouring of God's wrath upon the world and particularly upon Israel. It will ultimately result in Israel's repentance and turning to the Lord for salvation.
C. The Great Tribulation (Rev.4-19)
1. This is The Great Tribulation (Mt.24:15-28; Rev.7:14);
2. This is Daniel's 70th Week (Dan.7:24-27; 9:24-27; Mt.24:4-31);
3. This is The Day of the Lord (Joel 2-3; 1Thess.5:1-9);
4. This is The Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jer.30:7).
D. The salvation of Israel (Jer.30-31; Zech.12:8-10; Rom.11:25-27).
We believe the tribulation period will culminate and end with the premillennial return of Christ with his saints to judge the nations and establish his kingdom. (Dan.7:13-14, 27; Zech.14:1-4, 9-11 Mt.24:29-31; Lk.1:32-33; Jude 14-15; Rev.19:11-21, 20:4)
E. The millennial kingdom
1. The millennial kingdom will be characterized by the saints ruling with Christ (Mt.19:27-28; 1Cor.6:2; Rev.20:4)
2. The millennial kingdom will be characterized by the binding of Satan (Rev.20:1-3).
3. The millennial kingdom will be characterized by peace and righteousness (Isa.2:1-4; 11:6-10; 65:18-25; Zech.14:16-21).
4. The millennial kingdom will be characterized by the resurgence of Israel with Christ as king (Ezek.37:15-28; Jer.31:27-40; Heb.8:7-13).
We believe the events culminating the kingdom age and the ushering in of the eternal state are chronologically outlined in the following manner.
F. Final Rebellion
Satan is loosed and the nations rebel against Christ's rule (Rev.20:7-9).
G. Satan's Sentence
The nations are destroyed by God. The Devil is sentenced to the Lake of fire (Rev.20:9-10).
H. The Great White Throne Judgment
All unregenerate men in history come forth in the final resurrection to be judged according to their works and cast into the Lake of fire (Rev.20:11-15).
I. The Eternal State
The new heaven and new earth are consummated with Christ as the focal point and the redeemed of all ages enjoying and serving him forever (Rev.21-22; 2Pet.3:10-13).