Tripartite Man (Spirit, Soul and Body)

Are you seeking to understand our Father-in-heaven's ways with man (and with angels)?

One very important Biblical concept to ponder is the three-part nature of man. Each one of mankind is a spirit, a soul, and a body.

A great writing on this is in the first couple of chapters or so of Watchan Nee's book titled "The Spritual Man." Currently this book is available for free as an online book at
http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/nee/sprtmnv1/1968v1c1.htm

Although we are not affiliated with the "worldinvisible" organization which posted this at their online library, we appreciate the free service they have done.

The first two paragraphs of that writing are as follows:

SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY

The ordinary concept of the constitution of human beings is dualistic-soul and body. According to this concept soul is the invisible inner spiritual part, while body is the visible outer corporal part. Though there is some truth to this, it is nevertheless inaccurate. Such an opinion comes from fallen man, not from God; apart from God's revelation, no concept is dependable. That the body is man's outward sheath is undoubtedly correct, but the Bible never confuses spirit and soul as though they are the same. Not only are they different in terms; their very natures differ from each
other. The Word of God does not divide man into the two parts of soul and body.
It treats man, rather, as tripartite-spirit, soul and body. I Thessalonians 5.23 reads: "May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." This verse precisely shows that the whole man is divided into three parts. The Apostle Paul refers here to the complete sanctification of believers, "sanctify you wholly. "According to the Apostle, how is a person wholly sanctified? By his spirit and soul and body being kept. From this we can easily understand that the whole person comprises these three parts. This verse also makes a distinction between spirit and soul; otherwise, Paul would have said simply "your soul." Since God has distinguished the human spirit from the human soul, we conclude that man is composed of not two, but three, parts; spirit, soul and body.

Is it a matter of any consequence to divide spirit and soul? It is an issue of supreme importance for it affects tremendously the spiritual life of a believer. How can a believer understand spiritual life if he does not know what is the extent of the realm of the spirit? Without such understanding how can he grow spiritually? To fail to distinguish between spirit and soul is fatal to spiritual maturity. Christians often account what is soulical. as spiritual, and thus they remain in a soulish state and seek not what is really spiritual. How can we escape loss if we confuse what God has divided?

An important book: "Hope Beyond Hell"

God is a Father. He is a good Father. A good father plans to bring up each and every one of his children into the right way of successful life.

Sure, a father provides "free will" to his children. And so has the God Who gave us the Holy Scriptures. God has allowed His children free choice. Yet He provides pain as a result of bad choices.

What is the pain there for? The pain is instructive. It is remedial. It is a result of the errors of the child...but it is a corrective influence upon the child.

"Hell" as used in much of Christian tradition has been described as an unending place of terrible pain for those who dared to defy the Christian God in their short lifetime on earth. I urge you to reexamine what the Holy Scriptures say about this subject.

I recommend a book which correctly views the Holy Scriptures with regards to the concept of hell.

www.hopebeyondhell.net/

If you'd like, go to: www.hopebeyondhell.net/ (http://www.hopebeyondhell.net/) for a free ebook that will explain the plan of "universal salvation" as understood by one brother in Jesus.

My own understanding is somewhat different. I call it "universal remedialism" because I understand that many many people will miss the opportunity for salvation in Jesus the Messiah, yet will be reconciled to Him and the Father at a later time after much cleansing in the Gehenna (trash heap).

"Salvation", as properly understood is only available now and until Jesus returns at the close of this age. Yet there will be a second chance for all God's children ... until every prodigal son is wellcomed home by the Father!