The teachings of the triune man and the three aspects of salvation reconcile many scriptures. Without these teachings scriptures that tell us that as Christians we can be disqualified contradict other scriptures that confirm we are sealed and cannot lose our salvation. Likewise, verses that speak of a working out of our salvation would, without further teaching, contradict the teachings of salvation through grace aside from works. These issues resolve in the revealing of the 3 parts of man and the three aspects of salvation.
In Ephesians 1:13 and in Ephesians 4:30 the scriptures say we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. This is strong evidence for the premise of security of salvation or a salvation that cannot be lost. This idea is confirmed in Romans 8:30-40 where the Word talks about us not being able to be separated from the love of Christ. And finally, in John 10:27-30 Jesus makes it clear that no one can take us out of the Fathers hand once we are his sheep. These verses lead us to a belief in the permanence of salvation. In contrast, however, Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:27 warns that even as a Christian he could be disqualified. He also warned of Christians suffering loss on the Day of Judgment. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 that not everyone that called upon his name would enter the Kingdom. Other scriptures encourage us to persevere so we may be approved and to ensure our salvation. It is the teaching of the 3 parts of man and the 3 aspects of salvation that reconcile these verses. It is not the salvation of the Spirit Paul is speaking of in Corinthians, which is sealed as we see in Ephesians, but a salvation of the Soul that must be persevered and worked out.
We see in Ephesians 2:8-9 and Acts 15:11 salvation is by grace and not of works or our own doing. What we try to do toward covering our sin is completely insufficient. Adam trying to hide himself with fig leaves is a good example of man’s inadequacy to do anything about his own sin. 2 Timothy 1:9 reinforces this when it says we are called not of our works but according to his own purpose and grace. Other scriptures speak of works and an on going salvation. James 2:18-26 says that faith without works is dead. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that we will be known as his by our fruit, implying a significant importance on works of the Spirit or fruit from seeds of the Spirit. Philippians 2:12 simply says “work out your salvation” again implying that it is an ongoing process and not a one time event. All these passages are reconciled with the revelation of the three aspects of salvation.
The First aspect of salvation is at the moment of surrendering your life to Christ and accepting his free gift of grace through faith. This is a one time event that is necessary for any part of the salvation of man. This is the salvation of the Spirit of man. Secondly, there is an ongoing salvation of the soul that must be worked out and persevered to the end. This is also through faith in Christ and his completed work but will be judged based on fruit or works produced through us as described in 2 Corinthians 5:10. Third, there is a salvation of the body, a resurrection to a glorified body that is spoken of in 2 Corinthians 15:42 and in other scriptures such as Acts 23:6, 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 and Philippians 3:11. This salvation is always spoken of as something we obtain in the future, although secured for us with Christ’s finished work.
There are also three baptisms spoken of in Scripture. These are clearly laid out as separate by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11. These correlate to one for each of the parts of man. There is an emersion of water for the body as described in Acts 8:36-38. This is a physical act of obedience symbolizing our death and resurrection and publicly professing our belief that Jesus Christ is the son of God. There is more than a baptism of water however as Acts 18:25 and Acts 19:4 clearly point out. There is also a baptism of fire for the soul that is an invitation to God to burn up and remove all things in our lives that are not of God and or not to His glory. This is promised by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11 and in Luke 3:16 but is further defined in Acts 2:3 as tongues of fire descended on the disciples. It is explained in 1 Peter 1:7 as a refining of our faith through trials but it is not necessary to wait for trials to refine our faith. We can and should ask God to burn up anything in our lives that is not of him. Accepting this baptism freely can cause us to avoid many trials. The emersion into God the Consuming Fire is described in 1 Corinthians 3:13 as a testing of our works where in only those good works will survive. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is explained in Acts 8:15-17. This baptism is for our Spirit and its purpose is to empower us for ministry and the fruits of His work.
The studies of the triune man and the three aspects of salvation reconcile many previously mysterious scriptures. This is accomplished by rightly dividing the Word of God as instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15. Christians can be disqualified from rewards in the soul salvation but cannot loose the Spirit salvation that Christ has sealed with the Holy Spirit. As 1 Corinthians 3:15 says even if our works are completely burned up, we ourselves will be saved. Man is made in the image of God having three parts or aspects, each requiring salvation. All three of these were provided by the grace of God though faith in the complete work of Christ on the cross and by His resurrection.
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