Our Philosophy

The Bible is the First and Final Authority

We believe Biblical Authority should be applied in all matters of faith and practice. We believe the King James Bible is inspired and the infallible word of God for the English language. It is from God’s Word that we understand and teach the fundamental doctrines of our faith, where we derive our church polity from, and where we can learn to glorify God through worship, acts of service, and an obedient life.

Inspired: God breathed. II Timothy 3:16 - "...all scripture is given by inspiration of God..."

Infallible: Incapable of being wrong. Proverbs 30:5 - "Every word of God is pure..."

The Bible is inerrant, this means it is incapable of error. II Peter 1:19 "...it is a more sure word..."

The Autonomous Operations of the Local Church

We believe in the Autonomy or self-governing power of each local church that is pure in the doctrine's of the Word of God. We believe that every local church should be independent of a hierarchical framework or outside governmental structure. We believe the local church is to be led by the pastor through the Word of God, served by the deacons and have congregational membership to support and serve in the church. W also believe that church members in good standing are able to participate in leadership decisions.

“The structure God gave the church is to Christ as the head, an overseer at the helm, and servants to carry out the mission of the church!”

Scripture References: Col. 1:18, Eph. 1:22, Titus 1:5, 1 Tim. 5:17, Acts 6:1-6, Acts 2:41, 2 Thess. 3:14-15, 1 Cor. 5:4-5, 11, Acts 17:11, Gal. 1:8, Acts 13:1-3, 1 Cor. 16:1-2, Phil. 4:14-18, 1 Tim. 5:3, Matt. 28:18-20

Christ is the Head. (Eph. 5:23, 1 Cor. 11:3, Eph. 1:21-23)

• He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)
• He is the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)

• He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

The Pastor is the under Shepherd. (1 Peter 5:1-3)

• Feeds the flock.

• Takes the oversight of the church.

• Not by constraint. (being forced)

• Not for dirty money.

• Of a ready mind.

• Doesn't lord over the flock.

• Is an example to the flock.

• Trains others to follow Jesus. (2 Tim. 2:2)

• Instructs others. (2 Tim. 2:25)

• Confronts others. (Gal. 6:1)

• Organizes the church. (Titus 1:5)

• Sets a vision/pace. (Prov. 29:18)

The Deacon is the Servant. (Eph 4:11-12)

Acts 6 shows us the deacon was given in the local church to help serve the widows in the church, but this doesn’t mean his job is limited to serving widows. Due to the nature of each ministry, the job of a deacon is often filled by a man who wears many hats at once.

Qualification of the Office:

Pastor: I Timothy 3:1-7

Deacon: I Timothy 3:8-13

The Priesthood of the Believer

God’s Word assures believers that we have direct access to God through our relationship with Christ. We believe and teach that the priesthood of the believer is the unspeakably precious privilege of every child.

Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

This is a direct relationship with Jesus Christ, because He has made intercession for us. We do not need to go through men to pray. We can go alone to God!

Hebrews 7:25-26 - "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;"

Hebrews 4:14-15 - "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

1 Timothy 2:5-6 - "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

1 Peter 2:9-10 - "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

The Two Ordinances

The so-called sacraments of the Catholic Church, as well as the practices of other churches of different beliefs, cannot rightly be called ordinances. Baptism and the Lord's Table are the only two ordinances given by the Lord to His church. They are to be a continuing part of a local church's life. Although some churches practice foot washing, this is not an ordinance in the local church.

Baptism and the Lord's Table have no part in salvation and only serve as pictures of what Christ did for us. Religious organizations that teach that these ordinances along with the gospel for salvation, breed confusion. The religious organizations that add to the gospel we would also label as "legalistic!" 1 Cor. 14:33 - "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

Baptism

This is a public profession of faith in Christ alone as your personal Lord and Savior.

Baptismal Regeneration is a false religious teaching: This is often defined as coming into contact with the Blood of Christ when one is baptized. No where in the Bible do we see someone being born again through baptism.

(Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:36-38)

Communion

This is something we often observe in the church as a collective body of believers. It is to show the Lord’s death until He comes to claim the church! Cornerstone Baptist Church practices close communion. Before every communion service, we teach a detailed account of communion, and the gospel is shared. We recognize that all people will give an account to God, and therefore we give parents charge over their children and souls charge to God and His Word.

Transubstantiation is a false religious teaching: This is the teaching that the wafer and juice we consume at the Lord’s Supper turns into the literal body and blood of Jesus.

(1 Cor. 11:24-26)

Individual Soul Liberty

We believe that every person must make a personal decision of repentance to God, place our faith in Christ, and each of us will give an account of our lives to Christ.

Acts 20:21 - "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

Individual soul liberty means that everyone will stand before Christ. For the Christian it is the mercy seat, for the unbeliever it is the great white throne.

Romans 14:10 - "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."

Revelation 20:11-12 - "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

Matthew 16:27 - "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."

Romans 2:16 - "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."

Matthew 12:36 - "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

The day of judgment for Christians is a time where we will stand before Christ and receive the rewards of our life for Him.

2 Corinthians 5:10 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

Psalm 62:12 - "Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work."

Separation

We believe that Christ’s ultimate sacrifice demands our complete consecration, and we desire that our daily living would reflect the holiness of our great God.

We believe that we must have a balanced approach to the application of our faith where we are in the world, but not of the world.

Separation from Worldliness

Romans 12:1-2 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

I John 2:15-16 - "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

Amos 3:3 - "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 - "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?"

2 Corinthians 6:17 - "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"

1 Peter 1:16 - "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

1 Peter 2:9 - "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"

Separation from State

The state should have no power to intervene in the free expression of religious liberty. When there is a clear conflict between the Word of God and human government, we are called to follow God's Word. God has ordained three institutions. These are the family, government, and the local church. Daniel offered an alternative to defilement, and God blessed him. Joseph submitted to the treatment he received unjustly, and God exalted him. Paul and Silas sang praises, not leaving the prison when they were freed.

Acts 5:29 - "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."

Matthew 22:21 - "They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

Two Offices in the Local Church

The Pastor Leads

Pastors are to take the oversight of the church and feed the flock of God. This means setting a pace or a vision for each person to follow the Word of God and apply it to their lives. Some sheep are weaker, some stronger. The Shepherds is to know his sheep, discern their needs, and share God’s Word with them. Simply put, a shepherd leads his flock to safety, protects them, watches over them, and leads them to Jesus.

In Pace

Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

In Grace

Pastors are to take the oversight of the individual needs of the church. This isn’t limited to the people, but also includes the grounds, the functions of the church, the services, and the spiritual direction of the church!

I Peter 5:1-4 - "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

The Deacon Serves

The deacon or deacons serve at the will of the pastor and the local church!

Acts 6:1-7 - "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."

• The Deacon is a servant.

• The Deacon helps take care of the widows in the church.

• Often the deacon serves the pastor and aids in the administrative work of the church.

The Church's Relationship with the Offices of the Church

Hebrews 13:17 - "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."

Each member or attender in the church is encouraged to submit to the teaching of the Word of God. The pastor will give an account of your life. Your pastor desires above anything to give that account with joy, because it is profitable for you!

As the pastor is an extension of the ministry of the Lord. Each person serving in a church is serving as an extension of the pastor. We all represent God in the local church, having differing functions. We are to highly esteem those who are serving God in the church. This helps produce peace in the ranks.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

Hebrews 13:7 - "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."

We are to remember those who have instructed us, trained us, and help develop us through the Word of God. We are to follow their faith while considering why we practice obedience, because we are all serving Jesus.

Hebrews 13:17 - "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."

It is towards your advantage to follow the the Word of GOD and to submit to the teaching of the Word of God, because there is an advantage to be gained somewhere in this life, or possibly, the one to come. Nobles and governors will serve under the Lord in the Millennial Kingdom for 1,000 years.

Isaiah 32:1 - "Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment."

Matthew 19:28 - "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Saved Church Membership

The most important aspect of local church is for the church to be filled with members who have been genuinely converted and born again through Jesus Christ. This will protect the ministry of the church, but it will also help guard against reproach coming back against the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many examples of religious bodies of believers who have erred from the teaching of the Word of God and compromised on numerous foundational beliefs in the application of their faith that is taught through the Word of God, where faith and family are concerned, among other things.

John 10:28-30 - "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."

Acts 2:41 - "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized..."

In the body of the Local church, it must be filled with members who have willingly and gladly trust Christ as Savior and have begun following Him.

Every person who wishes to join a local church must have the ability to recite their conversion testimony. Each conversion experience must include the gospel. If it does not include the gospel or someone doesn’t know the gospel, but they claim to be a Christian, that person should be a candidate for discipleship.

Jesus told the early believers to win the world to the gospel, to baptize them, and to train the believers in the Word of God.

Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Jesus told the early believers that following His Word would be the same as being His disciple. A disciple is a follow of Jesus Christ. If we do not follow His Word, we are not His disciple.

Matthew 8:31 - "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;"

Why? Because Paul commands it.

Romans 14:1 - "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."

We are told to receive someone who is young or feeble in the faith, but we are not to immediately receive someone if there is doubt about their stated beliefs.

Why? Because there are false brethren out there.

In II Corinthians 11:26 Paul states that he fell to “perils of false brethren.” These are people who pretended to belong to Christ, but in reality they only served themselves and saw Paul as some sort of threat to them.

Sometimes, false brethren are hard to spot. They might have the same political beliefs, or even the appearance of success or morality, but they deny the power of God and they lead weak woman captive, who are burdened with sins. They have corrupt minds, they are reprobate concerning the faith, and they resist the truth as Moses was withstood in the Old Testament. Paul instructed Timothy to turn away from these men.

II Timothy 3:5-9 - "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was."

Why? Because unsaved men slip in.

Jude 1:3-4 - "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."

• They are not Christians.

• They turn the grace of God into outrageous sexual conduct.

• They deny that Jesus is God & Lord.

In I Corinthians 5:1-2, Paul is starting to confront open sin in the church. Acts that were so disgusting, that it wouldn’t even be named among the unbelieving gentiles. The church was so deep in sin, that they never stopped to consider whether or not this activity should be going on in the church.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 - "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you."

Why? Because a little leaven will leaven the whole lump.

I Corinthians 5:6-7 - "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:"

Why? Because unity produces a thriving body of believers.

Psalm 133:1 - "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

Unity in Purpose

Philippians 2:2 - "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

Unity in Doctrine

Acts 2:42 - "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."