What we believe...
The Triunity of God
We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity are equally divine and possesses all of the attributes of Deity. God is the creator of all things visible and invisible and is perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. (Genesis 1:1-2; Colossians 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Mark 1:10-11; Matthew 28:19)
God The Father
We believe in God the Father, an almighty and infinite personal Spirit, who mercifully concerns Himself in the affairs of men. We believe that He hears and answers prayer and that He saves from sin and death all that come to Him through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 6:18; Matthew 6:9; Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 64:8; John 10:29)
God the Son - Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God who is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. We believe that He is both fully God and fully man. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, teaching and miracles, death on the cross, resurrection, ascension into heaven, and future personal return to earth. (John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 10:30-33; 19:30; 20:27-28; Mark 2:7-12; Hebrews 2:14-18; Isaiah 9:6, 53:1-12; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 28:18; Revelation 5:12; 22:12)
God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, sanctifies, and empowers all that place their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. The Holy Spirit is an abiding helper, teacher, comforter, and guide. (Galatians 4:6; 5:25; John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-8, 13-14; Ephesians 4:30)
Holy Scripture - The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the very Word of God and as such is fully inspired by God through the agent of men. The Scriptures communicate the nature of God, His plan for humankind, preeminently our salvation by grace through faith in Christ, and how we should live. The Scriptures are the final authority for faith and life. (John 10:35b; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
People, Sin, and Salvation
We believe God created people in His own image and free from sin. Because of Adam's fall each individual is born in sin and, therefore, is by nature and choice a sinner. Sin is manifested most clearly in our propensity towards "self-rule" rather than living under the loving leadership of Christ. We cannot justify ourselves before God. Each individual must place their faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ as the atoning work for the forgiveness of sin. Authentic faith is always wed to a changed life. Having placed our faith in Jesus Christ as our savior we are spiritually born again and are thereafter children of God and members of His family forever. (Genesis 1:27; 3:6-24; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 5:22-33; 1 John 4:19-20; John 3:3, 16)
The Church - The Body of Christ
We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all those who place their faith and trust in Christ are members. We believe the universal church has its expression in the local church where believers unite to worship God, encourage and minister to each other, equip each other for ministry, and share the Gospel with our world. We believe that the local church should be led by Elders who are Godly men. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27; Acts 1:8; 2:42; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Timothy 2:12; 3:1-7; Acts 20:28)
The Ordinances - Communion and Baptism
We believe that God has given His church two ordinances to practice until His return: Baptism and Communion. Baptism symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection. Water baptism is an act of obedience that follows repentance and saving faith. It is also a symbol of the baptism with the Holy Spirit that occurs at the time of conversion.
Communion is a memorial of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross for our sins. The bread symbolizes Christ's body and the juice symbolizes His blood. In partaking of the elements believers look back at Christ's death as their means of salvation, consider their present relationship in living consistent with this grace, and look to the future for His return. (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 2:38-41; 8:12)
Communion is a memorial of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross for our sins. The bread symbolizes Christ's body and the juice symbolizes His blood. In partaking of the elements believers look back at Christ's death as their means of salvation, consider their present relationship in living consistent with this grace, and look to the future for His return. (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 2:38-41; 8:12)
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. Because God creates each individual as either male or female, any rejection or attempt to change genders is a sin.
(Gen. 1:26-27)
We believe that God instituted marriage as a covenant relationship between a man and a woman. The original intent for the marriage union is for this relationship to be monogamous and for a lifetime. We believe God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other, therefore any sexual activity outside of marriage is against God's will. (1 Cor. 6:18, 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4)
(Gen. 1:26-27)
We believe that God instituted marriage as a covenant relationship between a man and a woman. The original intent for the marriage union is for this relationship to be monogamous and for a lifetime. We believe God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other, therefore any sexual activity outside of marriage is against God's will. (1 Cor. 6:18, 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4)
The Final Judgment and Eternal State
We believe there will be the future personal return of Jesus Christ where He will judge all people who have ever lived. All people from all time will be bodily resurrected. To those whose names are in the book of life they will spend eternity in the presence of God. They will also be rewarded based on the things they have done while on earth. Those whose names are not in the book of life will suffer eternal separation from God and their judgment will be based on their deeds. (Revelation 20:12-15; 21:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Luke 12:46-48; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct
This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship's faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Elder Board has the responsibility to interpret and apply God's word for our church. In order to model and abide by God's standards, all employees and those serving as volunteers in ministry leadership roles agree to hold to these beliefs, conduct their lives consistently with these beliefs, and willingly submit themselves to the Cornerstone Elders. (Matthew 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22; Hebrews 13:17)
Our Distinctives
Although we belong to the universal church that includes all Christian churches we acknowledge that each church has certain distinctive characteristics, traditions, beliefs, and practices, the combination of which distinguish it from other Christian churches. We feel it would be helpful to articulate a few of Cornerstone's distinctive qualities. These are not the most important things we hold to but rather we recognize that these often are important factors for people when they are making the decision to join a church.
Male Elders
We hold that the church is to be led by a plurality of male Elders who are responsible for leading, feeding, caring for, and protecting the flock (1 Timothy 2:12-15; 5:17, Acts 20:27-31, James 5:14-15, 1 Peter 5:1-4). Male eldership affirms God's design of male headship in both the church and in the family (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-21; Titus 2:1-5; 1 Peter 3:1-7). Christ-like leadership is best characterized by servant leadership that is willing to sacrifice for the good of others (John 10:11; Matthew 23:11). We also affirm that God has given leadership gifts to many women as well and they should be given the opportunity to lead and preach if called to do so, while remaining under the authority of the male elders (1 Corinthians 11:3-10; Acts 18:24-26).
Spiritual Gifts
We hold that all of the spiritual gifts mentioned in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4, are present today and should be exercised for the building up of the church and in a spirit of love (1 Corinthians 13). While the Holy Spirit ultimately determines which gifts an individual receives we believe our desires play a factor in the process (1 Corinthians 14:1, 13) and so we should pursue and develop these gifts for the good of others. Because the church works as a body, we should have mutual appreciation for each person's contribution to growing God's kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:14-27). The absence or presence of a particular gift is not an indication of salvation or spiritual maturity (1 Corinthians 12:30). We believe that spiritual gifts should be practiced in such a way as to maintain orderliness (1 Corinthians 14:29-33, 40) and those who practice them must be submissive to the elders (Hebrews 13:17).
Baptism
We hold to and practice Believer's Baptism, that is, that all those who can understand and respond to the gospel are eligible to be water baptized (Acts 2:38-41; 8:12; 16:33-34; 18:8). Therefore, we do not baptize infants but offer parents the opportunity to dedicate themselves to raising their children in the instruction of the Lord (Deut. 6:6-8; Prov. 22:6). We believe that baptism by full immersion provides the most complete symbolism of Christ's atoning work on the cross and our new life in Him. We also believe that every person who receives salvation through faith in Christ is baptized by the Holy Spirit upon conversion (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:38-39) and that we are commanded to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit subsequent to conversion (Ephesians 5:18).
Extensively But Not Exclusively Asian-American
We feel uniquely positioned to reach people who are English speaking Asians living in the greater Seattle area. However, our overriding calling as Christians is to love all people, including and inviting them to faith in Christ and to become a part of our church family. (Galatians 2:7-8)