What Scripture Says
Passage summaries are provided below. Read each passage in your Bible for its full wording and context.
Deuteronomy 6:4
Israel is called to hear and confess that the Lord is one. This confession establishes the foundation of biblical monotheism.
Ephesians 4:4–6
In his appeal for unity, Paul speaks of one Spirit, one Lord, and one God and Father of all.
Colossians 2:9
Paul teaches that all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Jesus Christ. We understand Jesus as the revelation of the one God in the flesh.
Understanding the Teaching
Our Apostolic understanding begins with the oneness of God. We understand Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in light of that oneness: God as Father, revealed in His Son Jesus Christ, and present and at work by His Spirit. We do not understand these as three separate gods. The life, words, death, and resurrection of Jesus are central to knowing who God is and how He saves.
One God from beginning to end
The Bible begins with God creating the heavens and the earth. Later, Israel is taught to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4–5). Through Isaiah, God declares that there is no other God and no Savior beside Him (Isaiah 43:10–11). Our belief in one God begins with this consistent witness: the Creator and Savior is one.
This matters personally. We do not divide our worship or trust among competing gods. We seek to know the one God who made us, loves us, and calls us to Himself.
Why we look to Jesus
John introduces Jesus by speaking of the Word who was with God and was God, then tells us that the Word became flesh (John 1:1–14). Colossians 2:9 says the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ. In our Apostolic understanding, Jesus is more than a messenger pointing toward a distant God: in Him, God has come near.
When Philip asks to see the Father, Jesus directs him to His own words and works (John 14:8–11). We read this alongside the Bible’s teaching that God is one. Jesus makes the Father known; His compassion, authority, and saving work reveal God to us.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
These biblical names and descriptions matter. Father speaks of God as the source of life and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Son speaks of Jesus Christ, truly born into our human world. Holy Ghost, also called Holy Spirit, speaks of God’s Spirit at work in and among people.
Our Apostolic understanding holds these truths together without dividing God into separate divine persons. Jesus is truly human as well as the fullness of God revealed in flesh. His prayers, suffering, and obedience are real. We do not dismiss His humanity in order to affirm His deity.
A truth that leads to relationship
Knowing God involves more than learning the right terms. Jesus calls us to trust Him, follow Him, and love one another. The question becomes personal: if God has made Himself known in Jesus Christ, how will I respond to Him?
As you read the Gospels, notice what Jesus says about Himself, what He does for others, and how people respond. Bring those observations into your own prayer and Bible study.
Common Questions
Why is Jesus central to this belief?
John 1:1–14 speaks of the Word becoming flesh, and Colossians 2:9 speaks of the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Christ. These passages shape our understanding of Jesus.
Do all Christian traditions explain this the same way?
No. This page describes our Apostolic understanding. Other Christian traditions explain the relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit differently. We welcome respectful questions and careful study of Scripture.
If Jesus is God, why did He pray?
Jesus lived a real human life. His prayers express His genuine relationship with the Father, dependence, and obedience. We understand passages such as Luke 22:41–44 alongside the passages declaring God’s fullness in Christ, rather than setting one group of Scriptures aside.
Is “Holy Ghost” different from “Holy Spirit”?
These are two English expressions for the same biblical term. You may hear both in our teaching and worship.
Where should I begin reading?
Read John 1:1–18, John 14:1–11, and Colossians 2:6–10. Ask: What does each passage tell me about Jesus, and how does that fit with the confession that God is one?
Further Bible Study
Something to think about
Read John 14:8–11 slowly. Why does Jesus answer a request to see the Father by directing attention to Himself?
Isaiah 43:10–11 · John 1:1–14 · John 14:8–11 · 1 Timothy 3:16
Read these passages in context, and bring your questions to Pastor Bentley.
Call to connect ↗