The salvation of the soul has always been a hard doctrine for me to teach because it always seems to sound like a salvation based upon our works versus our faith. Please, therefore, read the previous two posts in these series concerning faith if you have not done so before proceeding.

Before getting into this, though, let me review a couple of basic doctrines. There exist three distinct salvations: 1) the salvation of the spirit which Jesus Christ effected for all men by his death on the cross (most people lump the salvation of the soul with this salvation and miss the concept entirely), 2) the salvation of the soul (the soul is that aspect of a person that he thinks of as “me;” it includes one’s mind, will, and emotions); and 3) the salvation of the physical body which will occur at some future resurrection.

Corresponding to the three salvations are three deaths: 1) spiritual death, 2) soul death, and 3) physical death. Spiritual death is that death which occurred through Adam’s sin and through him affected all men. Remember the Scripture which says, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive.” Physical death, of course, is that death which we usually think of which also comes to all men, all men, that is, except for the those “alive and left” at the time of Christ’s second coming who participate in the firstfruits (hidden)  and first resurrections.

Most people confuse the soul and spirit, however, so the concepts of soul salvation and soul death remain largely hidden from the church. Jesus spoke of soul death when he said that if we die during this life then we will not have to die again in the future. He referred to voluntarily giving up our own selfish and soulish desires during our normal lives on earth in order to do his will here. If we do this, he says, we will not die again. The Book of Hebrews tells us that it is given unto men to die but once and after that comes the judgment. This death which both Hebrews and Jesus speak of is the “second death” referred to in the Book of Revelation.  Revelation makes it clear that even Christians must participate in the second death if they fail to “put to death the things of the flesh” and to follow Christ here on earth.

The Book of Hebrews concerns itself exclusively with the salvation of the soul. Paul, or his disciple, clearly wrote this book to Christian believers. The main theme of the book deals with faith and its relation to the salvation of the soul. The author repeatedly warns his readers to beware of unbelief. Unbelief, he says, prevents Christians from entering into God’s rest and keeps them out of God’s promised land, New Jerusalem. He focuses upon the Word of God which is living and active and able to separate soul and spirit. He longs to explain “the teaching about righteousness,” the mature discernment of good and evil, but fears his hearers may not understand because they have become dull of hearing.

Therefore Paul or his disciple explains in detail the high priestly role of Jesus, who came in the Order of Melchizedek, in order to reconcile all men to God through his one, holy sacrifice.  BELIEVE, he says, BELIEVE! Do not succumb to the sin that so easily besets us, our unbelief. We are not of those who fall back from faith in Christ to destruction, but are of those who believe unto the saving of our souls! See Hebrews 10:39 where the word “soul,” not “spirit,” is specifically used. Also, refer back to Hebrews 4:12 where the Holy Spirit brings our attention to his Word which divides soul and spirit. God’s Word contains many details like this which we need to discern and understand.

Hebrews contains at least five critical warning which explicitly state that Paul’s hearers could lose this salvation he speaks of. Preachers and Bible teachers for centuries have misunderstood this book and taught that warnings were for those who were not true Christians. Others have used this book to teach that Christians can lose their eternal (spiritual) salvation. Both camps (Calvinism and Arminianism) are wrong. Hebrews speaks of, and only of, the salvation of the soul, a salvation totally different than the salvation of the spirit. And Hebrews teaches us that this salvation comes by, and only by, faith. Thus the author includes chapter 11, the “honor roll of faith,” just after one of his most severe warnings.

But notice the similarity between this Hebrews’ faith and the faith of which James speaks in the very next book. Faith, true faith, always shows itself through its works.

This is no new doctrine. Paul said “work out your salvation in fear and trembling.” He also said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” One salvation, the second, is already done… “you have been saved.” This salvation comes as a gift from God and speaks of our spirit’s salvation. By grace God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, effected eternal salvation for each of us. This explains why Christ’s sacrifice affects all men.

When you understand and believe this, then you receive the “earnest” or down payment of the Holy Spirit. This is when you receive the “power” to become a “son of God.” You do not receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, just a seed, just the earnest upon this initial belief or faith, a faith which itself is a gift of God. We do not choose Christ; he chooses us. With respect to our initial salvation, the salvation of our spirits, we do not even have free will.

It is after we receive this seed of the Spirit that we must begin to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. This salvation, unlike the first, requires our will, our “free will.” Now, and still by faith, we begin to effect the salvation of our soul. But, we have to choose to do so. History shows that most Christians do not make this choice. They content themselves to live like the world. They fail to “come out of Babylon,” the ways of the world. But, if we do choose God’s ways instead of the world’s ways now, before forced to do so by the rod of iron, then we will qualify for the prize of being fully made into God’s image. We will be accounted an Overcomer, a Son of God.

(Warning: the first separation of God’s people is about to occur. Only God’s firstfruits will be taken at this time. All others must go through the tribulation which is about to occur. I urge you to pray for understanding of this important doctrine now while you yet have time.)