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Correctly Applying Pronoun Distinctions
I have never read anything or seen anyone teach on pronoun clarifications and distinctions as a remedy for the widespread misunderstandings concerning the local assembly versus the universal church. Both Independent Baptists and universalists have perverted the Scriptures by reading their own presuppositions into the text.
My aim is to clarify these truths using the perfect and infallible words of the King James Bible, demonstrating the critical importance of understanding who is being addressed, when, and for what purpose. By observing the distinctions Paul makes, we can discern what the Holy Ghost and God Himself are teaching concerning the body of Christ, and how these truths apply both universally and locally.
Failure to understand and correctly apply these pronoun distinctions has caused misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians chapters 1 through 3 and led to unnecessary divisions within the church. Many seek preeminence in their local assemblies without regard for the unity and order of the body of Christ, undermining God’s purpose for His universal church.
It should be apparent to anyone reading the Bible that understanding the different pronouns is essential. Paul uses them deliberately to establish the correct pattern of understanding and to highlight the distinct references within the context of Scripture. A prime example of this occurs when Paul addresses the Corinthians regarding spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12.
The Image of God
There has been much said concerning the image of God, which is used by almost every false denomination to teach that though mankind has been tarnished by sin, there remains in man a foundation to human identity and worth. The supposed biblical truth presupposes that humanity apart from Christ is spiritually dead and under God’s condemnation, yet the intrinsic value of human beings is rooted in their creation in the image of God, not in their moral condition or spiritual state. The teaching is that though humanity bears the fallen image of Adam, scripture suggests that the image of God in man has not been entirely erased, though it is deeply marred.
As it has been suggested, “Adam still looked like God. He has hands, feet, etc. He is capable of rational thoughts and feelings, just like the model he was based on. I believe that the distinction shows that we inherit genes from our ancestors. You have the appearance of your parents and the general image of God. Both of those exist in complete harmony”.
The issue with the quote above is that the image of God has nothing to do with mankind’s physical attributes, his ability to reason, have feelings, relational capacity, creative ability, his ability to have dominion, or even his desire to worship. Everyone of those aspects of mankind is flawed, including his conscience, deceitful heart, having a mind corrupted by the world, without God and without hope!
Theology of Reciprocity
God's dealings with man concerning His love, grace, mercy, and blessings are never described in Scripture as "unconditional." Rather, they are extended or withheld based on man's response to God's revealed character. The biblical model of reciprocity shows that as man yields to God in love, obedience, and self-denial, God is pleased to bless, and sustain him, even unto death. Those who claim God's favor without faithful living, invite judgment rather than blessing.
Before addressing reciprocity, it must be understood that salvation through Jesus Christ is one of two exception. It is a free gift (Romans 5:15–18), requiring no payment, no works, and no reciprocation to receive. When we accept this gift, we are not “returning the favor” to the Giver, for we have nothing of equal worth to offer. Genuine reciprocation would demand an equal exchange, but for finite man receiving infinite grace, such an exchange is utterly impossible.
This principle of salvation by faith which is the second exception, extends throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, the free gift was received by those who "had faith in God" (Mark 11:22), as confirmed by the prophet Habakkuk: "The just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4). Whether Old Testament or New Testament, salvation has always been God's gracious gift received through faith, not earned through works.
Distinction Without Difference
Throughout Scripture, God has chosen to reveal truth through a rich variety of words and names. Often, these different terms describe the same object or person, yet each one highlights a unique aspect of their character, purpose, or relationship to God. At times, the change in wording is simply another way of expressing the same reality, a distinction without a difference. At other times, the Spirit of God uses different names or descriptions to draw out deeper truths that are revealed only when we consider the context. In this way, the Bible unfolds layer upon layer of meaning, guiding us to see the fullness of God’s wisdom and purpose in His Word.
For instance, the titles “the Lord Jesus” and “Christ Jesus” both refer to the same person. On their own, this would be a distinction without a difference. However, when viewed in context, one title may emphasize His Lordship while the other highlights His Messiahship making it a contextual distinction. The difference, then, is not in His person but in the aspect of truth being emphasized.
Long Hair for Men? Short Hair for Woman? God Forbid!
For years it has been argued, and I myself argued, that 1 Corinthians 11:16 teaches that no one should be contentious about the issue, and that “we have no such custom” means the churches of God should not concern themselves with these ordinances (v2) in the local church, unless you become contentious over this issue. That interpretation has been repeated, taught, and accepted for decades as if it were settled truth.
But after reading the text again, carefully, honestly, and in light of Paul’s own words in the previous fifteen verses and after hearing others teach the same error, a realization struck with undeniable force. If that understanding were correct, then Paul’s words here would be pointless. Why would the Holy Ghost move him to write fifteen detailed verses if they carried no real instruction, warning, or consequence? Why would he say, “be ye followers of me,” commend them for remembering him, and command them to “keep the ordinances, as I delivered them”, only to spend fifteen verses establishing divine order (v3, 7-9), creation truth (v14-15), and spiritual authority (v9) concerning men and women, and then conclude by effectively saying, “none of this actually matters; don’t worry about it”? That reading is not only illogical, it is absurd. And yet, for over forty years, I believed that very absurdity.
The Faith OF Christ Verses
The Faith IN Christ
There’s been a controversy that is existed in these distinct phrases found within the Authorized King James Bible. I have always understood word distinctions (as explained in my article Correctly Applying Pronoun Distinctions found on my website) to mean that pronouns, prepositions, and related grammatical terms are precise in meaning and must be understood exactly as they are written. The words OF and IN as relating to Jesus Christ are profound in nature to show us a very important doctrinal truth as it relates to the to the source or to the possession, even what is proceeding from what Jesus Christ did beginning with his birth, his life, his death and his resurrection.
I will turn to doctrinal distinctions to demonstrate plainly that the Authorized Holy Bible speaks with deliberate precision, as it does in many other doctrines, to teach not only eternal security through the faith of Christ, but also a completed work accomplished entirely on our behalf. Salvation is “not by works of righteousness which we have done”, and that exclusion includes even our own faith.
Catholics have faith in Jesus. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim faith in Jesus. Many religious systems profess faith in Jesus. Yet a truly born-again Christian, one who has been given the Holy Ghost, has been given Christ’s faith, imparted by the Holy Ghost Himself. These are not the same thing.
I intend to examine this carefully and concisely, laying out the biblical foundation that proves the distinction between faith in Christ and the faith of Christ. To fail to distinguish between the two is not a minor oversight, but a serious and vital error in doctrinal understanding.
The Four Winds of Heaven
Scripture reveals that there are four principal winds from which all known and unknown wind patterns upon the earth proceed. These are not merely atmospheric forces, but divinely ordered movements that originate from what the Bible calls “the four quarters of heaven.” Jeremiah declares, “And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven” (Jeremiah 49:36), while John records in Revelation, “I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth” (Revelation 7:1). The consistent testimony of Scripture is that these winds are heavenly in origin, earthly in effect, and entirely under God’s command.
To understand how these winds relate to the earth itself, it is necessary to consider the geographical structure of the world God created. The earth is divided and measured by lines of latitude and longitude, which establish fixed directions, angles, and boundaries. Lines of latitude run horizontally, measuring distance north and south of the equator. The equator, set at 0° latitude, divides the earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, extending outward to 90° at the poles. These lines are parallel and never meet, forming orderly bands across the globe.
Lines of longitude, also called meridians, run vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole, measuring distance east and west from the Prime Meridian. Unlike latitude, longitude lines converge at the poles, forming defined quarters of the earth. Together, latitude and longitude divide the globe into measurable sections, directions, and angles—what Scripture refers to as quarters and corners.
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