I haven't looked to see if it is Sozo in 1 Peter 3:20. Some people seem to think a person should be termed "saved" before they receive the Holy Ghost.
My point has to do with the fact that the word "saved" can mean eternal but it doesn't eliminate man's ability to choose and to mess it up, so to speak.
For example, when God Saved people from the bond age of Egypt, how long was God saving them for? (In other words, for what length of time was he bringing them out of bondage?) ANSWER: Forever! Eternally.
But did they find a way to mess that up? Yes they did.
And did some end up going from that forever/eternal deliverance into actual destruction? Yes. (Think Dathan and Abiram)
And to those very adults that he brought out of Egypt (also including Dathan and Abiram) did not God give a binding promise that he was going to bring them into the promised land? Yes he did. But even with an absolute promise from God, did MOST of them fail to reach the promised land? Yep.
And does God warn us not to be like Dathan and Abiram (as if it is possible for us to repeat their mistakes)? Yes he does.
And does God also warn us not to repeat the behavior of those who failed to reach that absolutely guaranteed promised land (as if repeating it would produce a similar outcome) ? Yes, indeed he does.
As long as we are in this life, God sets before us LIFE and DEATH and allows us to choose.
Even Christians. (Christians aren't brought into bondage, but into greater freedom, with even greater consequences for misuse, as it is written "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." 2 Peter 2:21)
There is so much more to write on this but i need to go do a few things before trying to continue. (Like getting in some prayer)
BTW, I answer openly to you because I know you have a good capacity for understanding (and I'd like to help fill it with truth)
Love in Jesus,
Kelby