These studies express AFI's Oneness Apostolic teaching perspective. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version; the teaching and application are editorial commentary. Read each passage in context, and continue the conversation with your pastor and local church.
01
FOUNDATION STUDY
Contend for the Faith
“ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”Jude 3 · KJV · excerpt
Understand the Word
Jude calls believers to guard the faith entrusted to the saints. In context, he warns against turning grace into permission for ungodliness. Contending means knowing the truth, living it faithfully, and passing it on with conviction and compassion.
Put faith into practice
Read Jude 3–4 and 20–23 together. Identify one truth you need to study, one habit you need to surrender, and one person you can encourage this week.
For personal reflection or group discussion
How can I defend sound doctrine while showing the mercy Jude also commands?
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”Colossians 2:9 · KJV
Understand the Word
AFI teaches the Oneness Apostolic confession: there is one God, and the fullness of God is revealed bodily in Jesus Christ. Jesus is truly God and truly man. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost do not describe three separate divine persons in our understanding of Scripture.
Put faith into practice
Study Deuteronomy 6:4, John 1:1–14, and Colossians 2:9. Explain what these passages teach about God and the incarnation in your own words.
For personal reflection or group discussion
Why does knowing who Jesus is shape our worship and our witness?
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · KJV · excerpt
Understand the Word
The good news is centered on Jesus Christ: His death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection. Our hope rests in His saving work. Grace calls us to faith and an obedient response, and produces a life of good works rather than boasting in our own merit.
Put faith into practice
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 and Ephesians 2:8–10. Practice explaining the gospel simply, keeping Jesus and His saving work at the center.
For personal reflection or group discussion
When I share my faith, is the good news about Jesus clear?
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”Acts 2:38 · KJV · excerpt
Understand the Word
Salvation is God's gracious work through Jesus Christ. The Apostolic response to the gospel includes faith, repentance, water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ, and receiving the Holy Ghost. These are a response to grace, not a purchase of salvation.
Put faith into practice
Read Peter's answer in Acts 2:38–39 alongside John 3:3–5 and Acts 19:1–6. Talk with a pastor about baptism and the promise of the Spirit.
For personal reflection or group discussion
How did the first believers respond when they heard the gospel?
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”Acts 2:4 · KJV
Understand the Word
We affirm the baptism of the Holy Ghost, with speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance as its initial outward evidence. The Spirit empowers believers to witness and to bear lasting fruit in daily life.
Put faith into practice
Make time for prayer, and read Acts 2 and Acts 10. Examine the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–25 as a call to ongoing spiritual growth.
For personal reflection or group discussion
How is the Spirit shaping both my witness and my character?
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”1 Peter 1:15 · KJV
Understand the Word
God calls His people to holy conduct. In this KJV passage, conversation refers to our manner of life. Holiness touches our thoughts, speech, relationships, stewardship, and behavior. A life surrendered to Christ should display both truth and love.
Put faith into practice
Invite the Lord to examine one area of your conduct. Choose a concrete act of obedience, reconciliation, or integrity today.
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”Acts 2:42 · KJV
Understand the Word
The early church joined sound teaching with fellowship, prayer, generosity, and shared life. Apostolic faith is to be taught, practiced, and entrusted to the next generation. Cooperation among churches should strengthen our faithfulness to Christ.
Put faith into practice
Gather with your church, pray with someone, and share one Scripture with a younger believer. Ask how your congregation can serve a neighbor this week.
For personal reflection or group discussion
What am I passing to the next generation through both my words and my example?
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”Acts 3:19 · KJV
Understand the Word
Repentance is a sincere turning from sin toward God. Paul distinguishes godly sorrow, which leads to repentance, from sorrow that does not bring a changed direction. In Apostolic teaching, repentance belongs to our response of faith to the gospel; it is more than regret or an emotional moment.
Put faith into practice
Read Acts 3:19 and 2 Corinthians 7:9–10 in context. Confess sin honestly, turn away from it, and seek pastoral help where restitution or sustained accountability is needed.
For personal reflection or group discussion
What concrete change will demonstrate my turning toward God this week?
“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”Acts 19:5 · KJV
Understand the Word
The book of Acts repeatedly describes baptism in the name of Jesus Christ or the Lord Jesus. Oneness Apostolics understand these accounts as the apostles’ fulfillment of Jesus’ commission in Matthew 28:19. Romans 6 connects baptism with Christ’s burial and a new walk of life. Baptism points to Jesus and His saving work, not to human merit.
Put faith into practice
Compare the baptism accounts in Acts. Read each complete passage, noting what was preached and how believers responded. Discuss baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name with your pastor.
For personal reflection or group discussion
How do the commission in Matthew and the accounts in Acts inform our obedience to Jesus?
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”2 Timothy 2:2 · KJV
Understand the Word
Sound doctrine is a trust to be passed on through teaching and example. Paul instructs Timothy to equip faithful people who can teach others. Churches of every size can cultivate this pattern through Bible study, mentoring, prayer, and accountable service. Multiplication begins with faithfulness, not a large platform.
Put faith into practice
Choose one person to study Scripture with. Read a passage together, invite questions, and agree on one practical step of obedience. Remain connected to the teaching and care of your local church.
For personal reflection or group discussion
Who am I helping to understand and live the Apostolic faith?
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”Galatians 5:25 · KJV
Understand the Word
Apostolic faith joins the experience of receiving the Holy Ghost with a continuing life of obedience. Acts records speaking with tongues as the Spirit gives utterance; Galatians describes the fruit that should grow in the believer’s conduct. These passages answer related but distinct questions: the reception of the Spirit and the character of a Spirit-led life. Spiritual gifts never excuse pride, bitterness, or unkindness. Paul places love at the center of ministry in 1 Corinthians 13.
Put faith into practice
Read each passage in context. Compare the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Choose one relationship in which to practice patience, gentleness, or self-control this week. Pray for the Spirit’s help and seek accountability in your local church.
For personal reflection or group discussion
Does my daily treatment of people reflect the Spirit whose power I profess?