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Three full, identical workouts a week is okay for the first few months. Your weigts for each exercise go up because 1) you're learning better how to do the exercises, 2)your body is learning how to better utilize your muscles, and 3) maybe your body builds a few extra capillaries for blood supply. But you're not really gaining muscle.
I think the 3-time-a-week identical workout is a great way to start; I know that I did. When you do know you're no longer a beginner? When the three-time-weekly routine is easy to do but you're not making quick progress anymore. At that point, your body has learned how to use its muscles more efficiently, and it's content and isn't going to grow much more on that routine. Time then to shock it with heavier, more intense work. And you cannot work each body part that way 3 times a week.
Personally, I'd say that after three months, max, you're ready for a split routine. I would go to a Mon/Tues and Thurs/Fri split. And if you're still sore on Thursday, slide it a day. You don't gain much by working a muscle that's still sore.
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