Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church subscribes to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith.
The Elders of Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church affirm both the inerrancy and sufficiency of the Holy Bible that is the Word of God. We affirm the Five Solas of the Reformation and the historic Christian Creeds including the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed and Chalcedonian Creed. We consider these invaluable for equipping the saints and teaching the Essential Doctrines of the Christian Faith as revealed in Holy Scriptures that are our only standard and authority, and rule of faith. The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the basis for any statement of faith.
At times, when necessary, the Elders will provide articles on specific issues as needed for clearer or deeper study. These ‘articles’ or “Elder’s Statement of Faith” are regulated by Scripture as illustrated by the 1689 Confession. It is the Word of God alone that governs the church, her worship, polity and all things therein and as such, the doctrines of God and His redemptive narrative. Therefore, the essence of all that scripture teaches as essential is found in our confession as expressly and certainly clarified as to avoid indifference or confusion about matters of the Christian faith.
Our distinctiveness are found in our foundational beliefs that were revived during the time of the Reformation. As such, we hold the five pillars of the reformation and build our theology, focus on scripture and preaching from this perspective.
The Five Solas of the Reformation
Scripture Alone
That Scripture alone (the 39 books of the OT and the 27 books of the NT) is the sole rule and standard for faith and practice before God. (Luke 16:29, 31; 24:27, 44; 2 Tim. 3:15-16; John 5:46-47)
Grace Alone
That by God’s good pleasure alone, some men are saved to the praise of Christ’s glorious grace; others are left in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His glorious justice. (1 Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25:34; Eph. 1:5-6; Rom. 9:22-23; Jude 1:4)
Faith Alone
That grace of faith where people are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily worked by the ministry of the preached Word. (2 Cor. 4:13; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 10:14, 17; Luke 17:5; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32)
Christ Alone
That Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. (Isa. 42:1; 1 Peter 1:19-20; Acts 3:22; Heb. 5:5-6; Psa. 2:6; Luke 1:33; Eph. 1:22-23; Heb. 1:2; Acts 17:31; Isa. 53:10; John 17:6; Rom. 8:30)
Glory of God Alone
Knowing that man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever, all holy duties Christians accomplish are exercised for God’s glory, by which He may pursue His own glory in us to the uttermost. (Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 10:31; Psa. 73:24-28)
Marriage and Human Sexuality
Preamble
We believe that all matters of faith and conduct must be evaluated on the basis of Holy Scripture, which is our infallible guide. (2 Timothy 3:16–17) Since the Holy Bible does speak to the nature of human beings and their sexuality, it is imperative that we correctly understand and articulate what the Bible teaches on these matters.
We are committed to the home and family as set forth in Holy Scripture. We believe God has ordained and created marriage to exist between one man and one woman, with absolute marital fidelity. The Bible sets forth specific home and family values, which include the distinct roles of husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, and children. It is our firm conviction that we uphold the dignity of each individual as we embrace the unchanging and longstanding principles of scriptural truth.
Religious Beliefs
Based on Holy Scripture and the constant moral teaching of the universal Church, we believe:
Marriage — Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church defines marriage as the permanent, exclusive, comprehensive, and conjugal “one flesh” union of one man and one woman, intrinsically ordered to procreation
and biological family, and in furtherance of the moral, spiritual, and public good of binding father, mother, and child. (Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:18-24, Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:5-9, Ephesians 5:31-33)
Sexual Immorality — Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church believes that sexual acts outside marriage are prohibited as sinful. Consequently, Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church members must resist and refrain from any and all sexual acts outside marriage — including but not limited to adultery, fornication, incest, zoophilia, pornography, prostitution, masturbation, voyeurism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, sodomy, polygamy, polyamory, sologamy, or same-sex sexual acts. (Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 18:7-23, Leviticus 20:10-21, Deuteronomy 5:18, Matthew 15:19, Matthew 5:27-28, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 13:4, Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 4:17-19, Colossians 3:5)
Sexual Identity — Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church believes that God created mankind in His image: male (man) and female (woman), sexually different but with equal personal dignity. Consequently, Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church members must affirm their biological sex and refrain from any and all attempts to physically change, alter, or disagree with their predominant biological sex — including but not limited to elective sex-reassignment, transvestite, transgender, or non-binary “genderqueer” acts or conduct. (Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Sexual Orientation — Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church believes that God created and ordered human sexuality
to the permanent, exclusive, comprehensive, and conjugal “one flesh” union of man and woman, intrinsically ordered to procreation and biological family, and in furtherance of the moral, spiritual, and public good of binding father, mother, and child. Consequently, Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church members must affirm the sexual complementarity of man and woman and resist any and all same-sex sexual attractions and refrain from any and all same-sex sexual acts or conduct, which are intrinsically disordered. (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:5-9, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 5:25-27, Revelation 19:7-9, Revelation 21:2)
Sexual Redemption — Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church believes that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and should seek redemption through confession, repentance, baptism, and faith in Jesus Christ. Consequently, Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church members must welcome and treat with respect, compassion, and sensitivity all who experience same-sex attractions or confess sexually immoral acts but are committed to resisting sexual temptation, refraining from sexual immorality, and conforming their behavior to Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church Statement of Faith. (Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16)
Celibacy — Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church believes that Holy Scripture grants two life-enhancing options for human sexual behavior: (1) the conjugal “one flesh” marital union of one man and one woman, and (2) celibacy. Either is a gift from God, given as He wills for His glory and the good of those who receive and rejoice in His gift to them. Celibacy and faithful singleness is to be celebrated and affirmed within Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church. (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18, 21-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:5-8; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-8; Matthew 19:12; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Romans 12:10; 1 Timothy 5:1-2)
Holy Scripture:
Marriage and Human Sexuality
Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:18-24; Genesis 19:5-10; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:7-23; Leviticus 20:10-21; Deuteronomy 5:18; Judges 19:22-24; Matthew 5:27-28; Matthew 15:19; Matthew 19:4-9; Mark 10:5-9; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-13; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:17-19; Ephesians 5:25-27; Ephesians 5:31; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; Jude 1:7; Revelation 19:7-9; Revelation 21:2
Pastoral Care
Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:17-18; Hebrews 4:14-16
Application
All of our members, employees, and volunteers must affirm and adhere to this Doctrinal and Religious Absolute statement on marriage and human sexuality to qualify for involvement with the ministry. This is necessary to accomplish our religious mission, goals and purpose. Behavior or counter-witnessing that does otherwise will impede and burden our integrity and religious mission. We believe that God’s grace can wipe the slate of guilt and sin, though the consequences are still incurred.
Authority
The Bible is the inspired, infallible, and fully sufficient Word of God, acting as the source of authority over morality, our beliefs, Christian lifestyle and conduct. Elders of this church are charged with the ministerial responsibility of Biblical interpretation and promulgating religious policy. Elders of this church will determine life application as well as final matters relating to church theology, philosophy, Christian practice, faith, divine truth, morality, and theological and doctrinal resolutions.
Abortion
Preamble
We believe that all matters of faith and conduct must be evaluated on the basis
of Holy Scripture, which is our inspired, infallible, inerrant, and sufficient guide. (2 Timothy 3:16–17) Because Holy Scripture speaks to creation and human life, it is imperative that we correctly understand, articulate, and abide by what Holy Scripture teaches on this matter.
We believe that God has created mankind in His image (Imago Dei) and that human life begins at fertilization. God, in his infinite sovereignty, uniquely formed human beings and gave them a special dignity, personal freedom, and individual accountability among all the works of creation. Human beings have been made for relationship with God and to be good and faithful stewards of creation. God created each person’s inmost being, knitting each person together in his mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13) As God’s individualized and personal creation, each person is fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) God has ordained all the days of each person’s life before he came to be. (Psalm 139:16)
Religious Beliefs
Based on Holy Scripture and the constant moral teaching of the universal Church, we believe:
From the moment of fertilization until natural death, every human life is sacred because every human life has been created by God, in His image and likeness.
From the moment of fertilization, every human life must be recognized, respected, and protected as having the rights of a person and the inviolable right to life.
The right to life and physical integrity of every unborn human life is inviolable —it is not a concession made by society or the state, but is instead inherent to the unborn human life by virtue of its creation in the image of God.
Because human life begins at the moment of fertilization, it is against our religious and moral conviction to formally or materially cooperate in the termination of unborn human life.
We are strongly committed to the preservation and defense of unborn human life, which compels our religious, moral, and ethical duty to defend unborn human life from destruction, whether by surgical abortion or use of drugs, devices, or services that have the intent, design, effect, or risk of terminating unborn human life or preventing its implantation and growth post-fertilization.
The Church and all her ministers and ministries should publicly witness to society and to the state regarding the intrinsic, inherent, and inviolable dignity of all human life, from fertilization to natural death.
Holy Scripture
In standing against abortion, this church incorporates by reference the following Holy Scriptures, which are cited in the statements, resolutions, commentaries, or doctrines of Christian denominations that are expressly and vocally opposed to abortion: Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, Presbyterian Church in America, Roman Catholic Church, and Southern Baptist Convention.
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 25:21-22; Exodus 20:13; Psalm 22:9-10; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 44:1-2; Isaiah 49:5; Job 10:8-12; Jeremiah 1:4-5 Luke 1:39-45
Early Church Fathers’ Statements on Sanctity of Human Life
“Thus, you read the word of God, spoken to Jeremiah: ‘Before I formed thee in the womb, I knew thee.’ If God forms us in the womb, He also breathes on us as He did in the beginning: ‘And God formed man and breathed into him the breath of life.’ Nor could God have known man in the womb unless he were a whole man. ‘And before thou camest forth from the womb, I sanctified thee.’ Was it, then, a dead body at that stage? Surely it was not, for “God is the God of the living and not the dead.”
—Tertullian, De Anima
“It is not permissible for us to destroy the seed by means of illicit manslaughter once it has been conceived in the womb, so long as blood remains in the person.”
—Tertullian, Apologia
“Why sow where the ground makes it its care to destroy the fruit? Where there are many efforts at abortion? Where there is murder before the birth…. Why then dost thou abuse the gift of God, and fight with His laws, and follow after what is a curse as if a blessing, and make the chamber of procreation a chamber for murder, and arm the woman that was given for childbearing unto slaughter?”
—John Chrysostom, Homily 24
“[T]his lustful cruelty, or if you please, cruel lust, resorts to such extravagant methods as to use poisonous drugs to secure barrenness; or else, if unsuccessful in this, to destroy the conceived seed by some means previous to birth, preferring that its offspring should rather perish than receive vitality; or if it was advancing to life within the womb, should be slain before it was born.”
—Augustine, De Nube et Concupiscentia
“Therefore brothers, you see how perverse they are and hastening wickedness, who are immature, they seek abortion of the conception before the birth; they are those who tell us, ‘I do not see that which you say must be believed.’”
—Augustine, Sermon 126
“Thou shalt not slay the child by procuring abortion; nor, again, shalt thou destroy it after it is born.”
—Barnabas, Letter