What We Believe

At Cornerstone Church, our foundation is Jesus Christ and the unchanging Word of God. We are a Reformed Baptist church joyfully built on the gospel, the Scriptures, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe God is still transforming lives today—by His grace, through His Word, and by the Spirit who dwells in every true believer.

We affirm the Baptist Faith & Message (2000) as our core doctrinal statement in cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention. We also hold the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith in high regard as a faithful and historic summary of biblical doctrine—especially in how it speaks about God's sovereignty, salvation, and the nature of the local church.

We know the word “Reformed” can sound intimidating to some, and “Baptist” may carry misconceptions. But here’s what we want you to know: We love Jesus. We love people. We preach the gospel. We believe the Spirit is alive and active. And we long to see lives changed, marriages restored, families discipled, and communities reached with the hope of Christ.

We are a Christ-centered, Bible-saturated, elder-led church. We practice meaningful membership and life together, not to create exclusivity, but to cultivate intentional discipleship and care. Our leadership is entrusted to a plurality of biblically qualified elders, supported by deacons, just as modeled in the New Testament.

We desire to be a church marked by:

  • Sound doctrine that humbles us

  • Spirit-empowered holiness that transforms us

  • Intentional discipleship that grows us

  • A gospel mission that sends us

Core Beliefs

The Bible
We believe the Scriptures are inspired, inerrant in the original manuscripts, and wholly sufficient for life, doctrine, and godliness. They are our final authority and clearly reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ.
(2 Timothy 3:16–17; Hebrews 4:12)

God
We believe in one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—eternal in being, equal in glory, and perfect in all His attributes. He is sovereign over all things and works all things according to the counsel of His will.
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 1:11)

Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus is fully God and fully man. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life, died as our substitute, rose bodily from the grave, and will return in glory to judge the living and the dead.
(John 1:1–14; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Hebrews 9:28)

The Holy Spirit
We believe the Spirit regenerates hearts, convicts of sin, seals believers, and empowers the church for holiness and mission. His primary work is to glorify Christ, illuminate Scripture, and produce spiritual fruit.
(John 16:13–14; Romans 8:9–11; Galatians 5:22–25)

Salvation
We believe salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. God sovereignly calls and saves sinners, giving new birth, repentance, and faith. We are justified by faith, sanctified by the Spirit, and one day will be glorified—all by grace.
(Ephesians 2:1–10; Romans 8:29–30; Titus 3:5–7)

The Church
We believe the local church is a body of baptized believers under the Lordship of Christ, gathering for worship, the Word, the ordinances, prayer, discipline, and mission. We are elder-led, deacon-served, and committed to unity and accountability.
(Acts 2:42–47; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Hebrews 13:17)

Baptism & the Lord’s Supper
We practice believer’s baptism by immersion as a symbol of union with Christ’s death and resurrection. The Lord’s Supper is a regular reminder and proclamation of Christ’s finished work.
(Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26)

The Return of Christ
We believe Jesus will return bodily to judge the living and the dead. The redeemed will dwell with Him forever in the new heavens and new earth, while the unrepentant will face eternal judgment.
(Acts 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 21:1–4)

Our Commitments

We are shaped by the gospel truths recovered during the Protestant Reformation, known as the Five Solas:

  • Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone is our final authority.

  • Sola Gratia – Grace Alone saves undeserving sinners.

  • Sola Fide – Faith Alone is the means of our justification.

  • Solus Christus – Christ Alone is our only hope and mediator.

  • Soli Deo Gloria – To the Glory of God Alone is the purpose of all things.

These convictions are not cold theology but the heartbeat of our worship, preaching, and daily lives. We’re not here to put on a show or chase crowds. We are here to glorify God, make disciples, love one another, and live on mission with boldness and joy.

“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
—1 Corinthians 3:11

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
—Psalm 127:1

A Personal Invitation

Maybe you’ve never been to a church like this before. Maybe you’ve heard things about Reformed or Baptist churches that made you hesitant. We get it—we’ve been there too. But we believe God is drawing people from all backgrounds to build something beautiful and biblical here in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Come with your questions. Come with your burdens. Come as you are. You’ll find real people, a Savior, and a church family that longs to see you grow in grace.