What is BibleAsk? Core Beliefs and Denomination Comparison

BibleAsk is a non-denominational Christian ministry dedicated to pointing people to God and His Word, the Bible. Our goal is not to promote a denomination, church tradition, creed, council, prophet, or human organization, but to help people search the Scriptures and understand what the Bible teaches. However, by doing that, we will align with different church denominations in their beliefs that do the same.

Because many visitors come from different Christian backgrounds, this page explains some of BibleAsk’s core beliefs and compares them with commonly recognized views among major Christian denominations. The purpose is not to judge individual believers, but to show where BibleAsk shares common ground with different Christian groups and where important differences may exist.

Open Invitation

BibleAsk welcomes readers from every background. Many Christians across denominations sincerely love God, honor Jesus Christ, and desire to follow the Bible. Our purpose is not to attack churches or judge individual believers, but to encourage everyone to compare every teaching with Scripture.

Where a denomination agrees with the Bible, we gladly recognize that common ground. Where any tradition, teacher, church, or organization differs from Scripture, we believe the Word of God must come first. BibleAsk exists to help people search the Bible, understand God’s truth, and grow closer to Him.

Core Categories

Core Belief Categories for Christian Denominations

1. Source of Authority

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Solo Scriptura (see how BibleAsk defines Solo Scriptura)	The Bible alone is the final test of truth; no denomination, tradition, creed, council, prophet, or church authority is binding above Scripture.	BibleAsk
Sola Scriptura / Protestant Bible authority	Scripture is the highest authority, though creeds, confessions, statements of faith, and denominational traditions may guide interpretation.	Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Non-Denominational, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Seventh-day Adventist, many Quaker/Evangelical Friends
Scripture + Sacred Tradition / Church Authority	Scripture is interpreted together with sacred tradition, councils, bishops, liturgy, or official church teaching authority.	Catholic, Episcopal / Anglican to a lesser degree, Orthodox
Scripture + Additional Revelation / Centralized Interpretation	The Bible is used, but additional scripture, modern prophets, or a centralized governing body also shape doctrine.	Jehovah’s Witnesses, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

2. Godhead / Trinity

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Biblical Godhead / Trinity	The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are divine and united as one God.	BibleAsk, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Catholic, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, Episcopal / Anglican, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Non-Denominational, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Quaker, Reformed, Seventh-day Adventist
Non-Trinitarian	Rejects the full deity or equality of the Son and/or Holy Spirit.	Jehovah’s Witnesses
Restorationist Godhead	Uses Christian language but defines God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit differently from historic Christianity.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

3. Jesus Christ

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Eternal divine Son of God	Jesus is divine, became human, died for sin, rose bodily, ministers for His people, and will return.	BibleAsk, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Catholic, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, Episcopal / Anglican, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Non-Denominational, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Quaker, Reformed, Seventh-day Adventist
Created or lesser divine being	Jesus is honored as God’s Son and Savior, but not viewed as fully equal with God the Father.	Jehovah’s Witnesses
Exalted Son / separate divine being	Jesus is central, but understood through LDS teaching about the Godhead, premortal life, and exaltation.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

4. Salvation

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Grace through faith producing obedience	Salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Christ, resulting in repentance, obedience, and transformation.	BibleAsk, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, many Evangelical, Methodist, Pentecostal, Seventh-day Adventist, and Non-Denominational churches
Faith alone / Protestant justification emphasis	Strong emphasis that believers are justified by faith apart from meritorious works.	Baptist, Evangelical, Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, many Non-Denominational churches
Sacramental salvation	Grace is received through faith and the church’s sacraments, such as baptism, Eucharist, confession, or other rites.	Catholic, Episcopal / Anglican, some Lutheran and Methodist traditions, Orthodox
Faith plus ordinances / true organization emphasis	Salvation is tied to faith, required ordinances, works, or belonging to the true visible organization.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, some Church of Christ groups, Jehovah’s Witnesses

5. Scripture and Bible Study

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Direct Bible study encouraged	Believers are encouraged to personally read, study, and test teachings by Scripture.	BibleAsk, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Non-Denominational, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Seventh-day Adventist, many Quaker/Evangelical Friends
Bible study through church tradition	Scripture is read and honored, but official interpretation is strongly shaped by church tradition, councils, liturgy, or church authority.	Catholic, Episcopal / Anglican to a lesser degree, Orthodox
Bible study through centralized interpretation	Scripture is studied through an official organization, governing body, prophet, or restored authority system.	Jehovah’s Witnesses, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

6. Ten Commandments / Moral Law Still Applicable Today

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
All Ten Commandments still applicable, including the seventh-day Sabbath	God’s moral law remains binding, including all Ten Commandments and the seventh-day Sabbath.	BibleAsk, Baptist, Seventh-day Adventist, Seventh-Day Baptists
Moral law affirmed, Sabbath reinterpreted	The Ten Commandments are generally respected, but the Sabbath command is commonly applied to Sunday, spiritual rest, or a general principle of rest.	Baptist, Church of the Nazarene, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, many Evangelical and Non-Denominational churches
New Testament ethics emphasized	Christian obedience is taught, but the Ten Commandments are not always treated as a directly binding moral code for Christians today.	Assemblies of God, Church of God, some Baptist, Brethren, Evangelical, and Non-Denominational churches, Pentecostal
Church-defined moral tradition	Moral teaching is shaped by Scripture plus church tradition, catechisms, councils, or official church doctrine.	Catholic, Episcopal / Anglican, Orthodox
Restorationist moral code	Moral teaching is shaped by the group’s official interpretation, additional scripture, or restored authority structure.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses

7. Prayer, Worship, and Mediation

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Prayer to God through Christ alone	Prayer and worship are directed to God, with Jesus Christ as the only mediator. Mary and saints are respected as biblical/historical figures but not invoked.	BibleAsk, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Non-Denominational, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Seventh-day Adventist, many Quaker/Evangelical Friends
Liturgical prayer and sacramental worship	Worship is structured through liturgy, sacraments, church calendar, and historic forms.	Catholic, Episcopal / Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist to varying degrees, Orthodox
Prayer with saints’ intercession	Prayer to God may include asking Mary or saints to intercede.	Catholic, Orthodox
Restorationist worship framework	Worship is shaped by additional teachings, temples, restored priesthood, or centralized interpretation.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses

8. Baptism and Discipleship

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Believer’s baptism and discipleship	Baptism follows repentance and faith and marks a life of following Christ.	BibleAsk, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Church of Christ, Church of God, Pentecostal, Seventh-day Adventist, many Evangelical and Non-Denominational churches
Infant baptism / covenant community	Infants or children of believers are baptized as part of the covenant or church community.	Catholic, Episcopal / Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Reformed
Baptismal regeneration	Baptism is closely connected with washing away sin, receiving new birth, or entrance into the church.	Catholic, Church of Christ, Episcopal / Anglican, Lutheran, some Methodist traditions, Orthodox
No required outward baptism	Inward spiritual experience is emphasized more than water baptism.	Quaker

9. Communion / Lord’s Supper

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Symbolic memorial	Bread and cup symbolize Christ’s body and blood and are taken in remembrance of Him.	BibleAsk, Baptist, Brethren, Church of Christ, many Evangelical and Non-Denominational churches, many Pentecostal churches, Seventh-day Adventist
Real presence / spiritual presence	Christ is truly or spiritually present in the Lord’s Supper, though explained differently by each tradition.	Episcopal / Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed
Transubstantiation	The bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.	Catholic
Sacramental mystery	The Eucharist is a holy mystery through which believers participate in Christ.	Orthodox
No formal sacrament/ordinance	Outward rites are often minimized or not practiced.	Quaker

10. Death, Resurrection, and Final Judgment

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Unconscious death, resurrection, final destruction	The dead sleep unconsciously until the resurrection; the wicked are finally destroyed rather than living forever in torment.	BibleAsk, Jehovah’s Witnesses, some conditionalist Evangelicals, Seventh-day Adventist
Conscious afterlife, resurrection, eternal torment	The soul consciously enters heaven, hell, or an intermediate state after death, with final resurrection and judgment still affirmed.	Assemblies of God, Baptist, Catholic, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, Episcopal / Anglican, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Non-Denominational, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed
Purgatory, resurrection	Some believers undergo purification before heaven; final resurrection.	Catholic
Spirit world / degrees of glory	The dead enter a spirit world, and final destiny includes degrees or kingdoms of glory.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

11. Second Coming and Christian Hope

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Visible, literal return of Christ	Jesus will return personally, visibly, and gloriously, and believers look forward to resurrection and restoration.	BibleAsk, Church of the Nazarene, Catholic, Episcopal / Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Reformed, Seventh-day Adventist
Visible return with futurist / rapture framework	Christ’s return is often understood through a future tribulation, rapture, or dispensational end-time framework.	Assemblies of God, Baptist, Church of God, Evangelical, Non-Denominational, Pentecostal, many Brethren groups
Restorationist end-time framework	End-time hope is shaped by the group’s own prophetic or restored doctrinal system.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses

12. Mission, Evangelism, and Service

View	Definition	Commonly associated denominations/groups
Evangelism and Bible teaching	Emphasizes sharing the gospel, teaching Scripture, prayer, discipleship, outreach, and service.	BibleAsk, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, Evangelical, Non-Denominational, Pentecostal, Seventh-day Adventist
Church-centered mission and service	Mission is connected to the church’s sacramental, liturgical, institutional, educational, or charitable life.	Catholic, Episcopal / Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Reformed, Quaker
Restorationist mission	Mission is tied to proclaiming the group’s restored organization, prophet, priesthood, message, or unique end-time identity.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses

Disclaimer

The categories above describe commonly recognized beliefs and practices within each group. Individual churches, pastors, and believers may vary. These comparisons are not intended to judge a person’s sincerity, salvation, or relationship with God. They are provided as a general guide to help readers understand how different Christian traditions compare with BibleAsk’s Bible-based, Solo Scriptura framework.