As one progresses in Christianity he or she must ultimately come to understand that the salvation of the soul is NOT the same thing as the salvation of the spirit.  The two salvations are related in that one cannot begin to save one’s soul until his spirit has been saved.  One’s spirit is saved when he “receives” the Holy Spirit, when he is “begotten” of God.  This comes by faith in Jesus Christ.  God gives the faith itself as a gift, by grace.  You can no more save yourself than can the man in the moon.  God sovereignly acts to bring you new, spiritual life.  It is at this point that you can first “see” the Kingdom of God.

This salvation marks the beginning of one’s spiritual life, but most Christians make it the end, and this is because this is all they believe there is.  This explains why many Christians go to church every week and hear another sermon about “getting saved.”  But, the doctrine concerning spiritual salvation is not even the colostrum, much less the milk or the meat of the Word.  It comes even before that.  The doctrine of the salvation of the soul, however, consists of the meat of the word as we see in Hebrews.

Of whom [Melchizedek] we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14 ASV)

Only the word, or teaching, about righteousness explains the doctrine of the salvation of the soul.  The entire book of Hebrews gives itself to this task.  First the book introduces us to who Jesus the Christ really is. 

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.  (Hebrews 1:8 KJV)

Verse 1:8 tells us that Jesus is both the Son of God and God Himself.  Further, it describes the sceptre of his kingdom as one of righteousness.  This informs us concerning the identity of the Kingdom’s King and the nature of his kingdom.  Having fully informed us as to Christ’s identity in chapter 1, chapter 2 then begins with the first of Hebrews five warnings to believers, saying,

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.  For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him…  (Hebrews 2:1-3 KJV)

In order to understand this teaching, one must see that Hebrews addresses believers, not unbelievers.  We will totally and finally misunderstand this great book if we relegate it to the “unsaved.”   First, note that these hearers have already “heard” many of the things this writer will address.  Second, see that these dwell in danger of letting this teaching slip from their grasp.   Next, become aware that failure to hold onto these doctrines will bring punishment for transgression and disobedience.  Finally, be warned not to neglect this “great salvation!”

What could be clearer?  Hebrews speaks to Christians who live in danger of punishment because they neglect God’s great salvation.  What salvation do they neglect?  They know who Jesus is.  They believe he died for their sins.  They believe he reconciled them to God.  They have received the earnest of the Holy Spirit and have been begotten of God.  So, what is the problem?  We shall see.