Beliefs aren’t just sentences on paper. They determine how we think, how we live, how we relate to our friends and even our enemies.
God makes it clear in the Bible that it’s very important we examine our beliefs and make sure they line up with His truth. Below is a summary of what we believe and teach at Cornerstone South Bay. For a more detailed look at our doctrine, read our Statement of Faith and listen to our ongoing teaching series, We Believe.
The Bible
More than just a book, or even a collection of books, the Bible is God’s spoken word to us. Because its author is God Himself, it is completely trustworthy, never failing us with mistakes or bad advice, and tells us all we need in order to know God and live well before Him.
God
God is eternal, all-powerful, all knowing, and much, much bigger than us. In one of the most incredible mysteries in the universe, there is one God who exists in three equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It’s from that relationship that we learn about true love, community, and joy.
Jesus Christ
Jesus was born from a virgin named Mary a little over two thousand years ago, and he was both fully God and fully man. He lived his whole life without sinning once, but died to take our place and pay the punishment that all of our sins deserve. He rose from the grave three days later and is now with God in Heaven, waiting for the perfect time to come back and make a new heaven and new earth.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit teaches us, opens our heart to understand the Bible, gives us faith, prays to God for us when we don’t know what to say, and lives inside of believers to assure them that God is going to finish what He started. When you become a believer, you are filled with the Spirit, and from that point on He continues to produce holiness in your life. In addition, the Holy Spirit gives gifts to each believer so that they can uniquely build up their local church.
Salvation
From the day they are born, humans live in rebellion against God, attempting to dethrone Him as King of the Universe by making themselves the highest authority in their lives. The right and necessary consequence of this rebellion is eternal separation from God. But God has provided the only way of rescue by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sin. Now, anyone who drops their rebellion and puts their trust in Christ for taking the punishment they deserve through His death on the cross, receives forgiveness for their rebellion, transformation by the Holy Spirit into a new person, and eternal life with God.
Eternal Life
As much as we are told - by the world around us and our own heart within us - to live for today, the reality is that eternity awaits all of us. One day, everyone who has ever lived will stand before God to answer for their lives. Those who have put their trust in Christ will be taken to an unimaginably good life with God in Heaven, while those who refused to give up their rebellion will be given over to Hell, the eternal separation from God who is the source of all joy, peace, and comfort.
