At the core of the good news of the Gospel is that GOD wants to reconcile us humans with Himself who are separated from our Creator through sin and condemned to eternal death. Traditionally it is taught that GOD became human in Jesus or came to earth to redeem humanity through His own death. The Bible, on the other hand, testifies that GOD raised up the Messiah - a person whom GOD intended to be the Savior for all humanity - in order to carry out His plan through him. Just as GOD foretold that the first man Adam would sin and fall, so GOD also foretold that Jesus (the last Adam) would fulfill his will and thereby overcome sin and death. That's why GOD made Jesus the key figure in His plan of salvation. GOD gave Jesus wisdom and authority like no other human being before so that people would recognize him as the announced Savior and so that Jesus could accomplish GOD'S work. The raising of Jesus from the dead, his exaltation to the right hand of GOD and his function as lord and head of GOD's church as well as judge are intended to illustrate his outstanding position above all other people.

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Jesus is the image of GOD. This means that Jesus as a human being embodies what humans should be according to GOD's creation plan. In his way of life and his relationship with GOD, the Father, Jesus serves as a role model for all other people. GOD wants us to be conformed to the image of the Son of GOD, i.e. that we too become as perfect in our character as Jesus. If Jesus were GOD, this claim would remain a utopia unattainable for us humans. For there is no man who is able to do what GOD can do. But if we understand Jesus Christ as the perfect man, we are able to follow him in faith and become like he is. When we recognize Jesus, i.e. understand his character and follow his example, then we see or recognize GOD and have fellowship with him. This is the essence of the gospel and the goal of faith (John 17,3). Therefore, the doctrine of the Trinity or deity of Jesus is in no way decisive for salvation.

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Acts 2,14-35 / Acts 3,12-27 / Acts 4,8-12 / Acts 5,29-33 / Acts 10,34-43 / Acts 13,16-41 / Acts 16,22-31 / Acts 26,1-23 / Rom 2,16 / 1st Cor 2,2 / 1st Cor 15,3 f. / 2nd Tim 2,8

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