The Three-fold Principle

a. Definition.
The principle of Bible study in which God sets forth the truths of salvation in a three-fold way; past-justification; present-transformation; future-consummation.

1. This principle expresses the grace of God and shows the fullness, completeness, and richness of our eternal salvation. It is found all the way through the Word of God.
2. This three-fold principle meets the three preeminent needs of man:
   a. Salvation from the wrath of God—Rom. 1:18; 3:23; John 3:36.
   b. Salvation from the bondage of sin—Rom. 7:15.
   c. Salvation from physical distress, disease, death, and decay—-Rom. 6:23.
3. Every misery and woe of the human race springs from these three conditions of man:
   a. Separation of the soul from God.
   b. Slavery in the bondage of sin.
   c. The mortal and infirm condition of the body.
4. Sin has brought on us:
   a. Damned souls.
   b. Sin-blighted lives.
   c. Death and decay-doomed bodies.
5. God provides for three preeminent needs of man in his three-fold plan of salvation. Salvation is something past, something present, and something future. Every Bible student will agree that this is found in the Word of God. The Christian’s only foundation is in the finished work of Christ.
   a. Past—justification. which gives man a ground for the hope that is within him.
   b. Present—This aspect is manifested in the daily walk of the Christian who should so live and walk as to honour God. This is possible, not because of what we are in ourselves, but because of the indwelling Holy Spirit
   c. Future—The consummation of our salvation will be in eternal glory when the believer is made in the visible and eternal likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Man is saved from the:
   a. Penalty of sin.
   This is past, and has to do with the wrath of God. “He was wounded for our transgressions” that we might not be wounded. God laid our sin on Him.
   b. Power of sin.
   Salvation from the habit of sin and the bondage of sin, in this present day. Whenever a Christian is given over to fleshly desires and appetites he does not have fellowship with God, and does not have victory. His life is powerless and barren. No life that is filled with fleshly desires and worldly activities is ever fruitful.
   c. The Presence of sin.
   When this salvation has reached its consummation, we will be given not only a redeemed soul and spirit, but also a redeemed body. Some people think that if you have enough faith you will not have any bodily ills; but immortality will not come until Christ returns.
7. Man could not meet these needs in his own strength.
   a. God knows that man could not get right with God, so God laid the foundation for this remedy in the cross.
   b. God knows that man is too sinful and weak to live aright, so He bestowed upon us the Holy Spirit, and has given Jesus Christ a place in heaven as our intercessor and advocate.
   c. God knows that man cannot get out of the grave, nor give himself a new body, so God provided the resurrection; or rejuvenation, as the case may be.
   a. Illustrations from Scripture.
8. Tit. 2:11-13—Gives us the three-fold work of Jesus Christ.
   Cross—past.
   Throne—present.
   Coming—future.
9. II Cor. 1:10—
   He hath. He doth. He will deliver.
10. I Thess. 1:3—
    Faith, labour of love, patience and hope.