COMPLETE SALVATION or THE TRIUNITY OF MAN

 

God is triune and man is made in the image and likeness of God. (1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:26-27) Man is triune and salvation is in three parts or stages. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

The spirit gives man God-consciousness. The spirit is the part of man which "knows." (1 Corinthians 2:11) In Scripture the spirit is often synonymous with the mind. (Job 32:8; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:23) The regenerated spirit is the part of a born-again Christian that does not sin. (Romans 7:15-17; 1 John 3:9) Past salvation (salvation of the spirit) is deliverance from the penalty of sin. (John 3:3-5, 13-18; Romans 4:6-8; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3)

The soul gives man self-consciousness. The soul is apparently shaped like the body and fits in it. (Luke 16:23,24; Revelation 6:9-11) The soul is the seat of the emotions, the personality, the "heart" in Scripture. (Matthew 26:38; John 12:27) Present or continuous salvation or sanctification (salvation of the soul) is deliverance from the power of sin and is both instantaneous and progressive (or experiential); believers enter the state of separation unto God when they are born again and are continually being conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29;  1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4) A born again believer has two natures, which is why a genuine believer is still lured and tempted by sin but cannot enjoy sin like he could or did before he was saved. (Romans 7:14-25) A Christian’s continual victory over the flesh is through surrender unto God and the engrafted word of God. (Romans 6:14-19; 12:1-2; James 1:21-25)

The body gives man world-consciousness and sense-consciousness. The body is the seat of the carnal adamic nature and remains unsaved until the resurrection. (Romans 6:6, 12; 7:18, 23-25) Future salvation (salvation of the body; physical resurrection) is deliverance from the presence of sin. (Romans 5:10; 8:23; 2 Corinthians 1:10)