WHAT WE BELIEVE
At Cornerstone Church, we believe the Bible is God's Word and the foundation of our faith. As an Assemblies of God church, we embrace the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. We've expressed them below in simple language so that what we believe is clear and accessible to everyone.
1. The Scriptures Inspired (The Bible)
The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
(II Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21)
2. One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10, 11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22)
3. Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully God and fully human. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, is exalted to the right hand of God and is coming again. (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31,35; Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:39; I Corinthians 15:4; Acts 1:9,11;2:33; Philippians 2:9- 11; Hebrews 1-3)
4. The Fall of Humanity
Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our own image, acter our likeness.” However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.
(Genesis 1:26,27; 2:17, 3:6; Romans 5:12-19)
5. Salvation
Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
(Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5- 7; Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12)
6. Baptism & Communion
We believe water baptism by immersion follows salvation as an outward expression of faith in Christ, and we practice Communion as a remembrance of Jesus' death and what He accomplished for us.
(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47,48; Romans 6:4; II Peter 1:4; I Corinthians 11:26)
7. Baptism in the Holy Spirit
We believe every believer can experience the baptism in the Holy Spirit, empowering us to live boldly for Christ and be His witnesses.
(Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; I Corinthians 12:1-31; Acts 8:12-17; 10:44- 46, 11:14-16, 15:7-9; John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8; Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28; Acts 2:42; Mark 16:20)
8. Spiritual Gifts & Speaking in Tongues
The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. (Acts 2:4; I Corinthians 12:4-10,28)
9. A Life of Holiness - Sanctification
We believe God calls us to live lives that honor Him. As we follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit continually transforms us to become more like Christ.
(Romans 12:1,2; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12; Hebrews 12:14, I Peter 1:15,16; Romans 6:1-11, 13; 8:1,2,13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12,13; I Peter 1:5)
10. The Church
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, called to worship God, make disciples, share the Gospel, serve others, and demonstrate God's love to the world. Each believer, is an integral part of the assembly. (Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 12:23)
11. The Ministry
We believe God calls and equips people to serve and lead within His Church, using their gifts to share the Gospel, build up believers, worship God, and meet the needs of others.
(Mark 8:16,17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14-16)
12. Divine Healing
We believe God still heals today and that divine healing is part of the Gospel. We pray in faith for God to heal and trust Him with every circumstance. (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:16,17; Mark 16:18; John 5:14; James 5:14-16)
13. The Blessed Hope
The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church. (I Thessalonians 4:16,18; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 15:51,52)
14. The Return & Reign of Christ
The second coming of Christ included the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years. (II Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; Romans 11:25,27; Revelation 20:1-7)
15. Final Judgment
We believe there will be a final judgment. Those who have rejected Christ will face eternal separation from God, while those who belong to Christ will receive eternal life. (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8)
16. New Heaven & New Earth
We believe God will ultimately make all things new. We look forward to a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells and God's people will live with Him forever. (II Peter 3:13; Revelation 21,22)
Marriage & Family
We believe God designed marriage as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman. We believe marriage is a lifelong commitment marked by love, faithfulness, mutual honor, and selfless service, and that the family is a gift from God and an important foundation for society and the Church. (Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:22–33; Hebrews 13:4)