SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY SALVATION AND SEALING IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE

SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY SALVATION AND SEALING IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE MAN: SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY The Scriptures present man as a threefold being: spirit, soul, and body. The clearest statement is found in Paul's First Epistle to the Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJB “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The three are expressly distinguished: SPIRIT — SOUL — BODY The Greek words correspond to: • Spirit — πνεῦμα (pneuma) • Soul — ψυχή (psychē) • Body — σῶμα (sōma) Scripture therefore gives us a clear threefold distinction within man. THE ORIGIN OF MAN The beginning of man's creation helps us understand this distinction. Genesis 2:7 KJB “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” The body was formed from the dust of the ground. God breathed into man's nostrils the breath of life. And the result was: “man became a living soul.” The verse does not say that God put a soul into a body. It says that man became a living soul. THE SPIRIT OF MAN The Bible specifically speaks of the spirit of man. 1 Corinthians 2:11 KJB “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” There is therefore a spirit of man which is in him. The spirit is not simply another word for the physical body. THE SOUL AND THE BODY Christ also distinguished the soul from the body. Matthew 10:28 KJB “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The distinction is unmistakable: BODY ≠ SOUL A man may kill the body, but that does not mean he has killed the soul. THE WORD OF GOD CAN DIVIDE SOUL AND SPIRIT The distinction between soul and spirit is particularly significant in Hebrews. Hebrews 4:12 KJB “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The Word of God is able to distinguish between: SOUL AND SPIRIT and it also reaches to: JOINTS AND MARROW The Word of God penetrates beyond outward appearance and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. THE FALLEN CONDITION OF MAN Although man possesses spirit, soul, and body, the natural man is separated from God because of sin. Paul describes the condition of mankind: Romans 3:23 KJB “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” The problem is therefore not merely physical. Sin has brought death and separation from God. Ephesians 2:1 KJB “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” The natural man needs spiritual life. THE GOSPEL THAT SAVES TODAY In the present Dispensation of Grace, the Gospel by which sinners are saved is the Gospel committed to the Apostle Paul. Paul declares exactly what he received and preached: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 KJB “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” This is the Gospel: CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS. HE WAS BURIED. HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY. The sinner is saved by believing this Gospel. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SINNER BELIEVES? When a person trusts Paul's Gospel, God does something that cannot be accomplished by human religion, works, or self-improvement.The believer receives the Holy Spirit. Paul writes: Ephesians 1:12–14 KJB “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Notice the sequence: HEARD ↓ BELIEVED ↓ SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE The believer is not left wondering whether salvation will eventually become permanent. He is sealed. SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION Paul gives an equally powerful statement in Ephesians 4: Ephesians 4:30 KJB “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” The Holy Spirit is the seal. And the duration is: “unto the day of redemption.” The believer's present body has not yet experienced its final redemption. That future redemption is specifically called: “the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:23 KJB