4.4 God’s plan of salvation

4.4 God’s plan of salvation Salvation has come into the world through Jesus Christ. He is the author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5: 9). He has brought salvation and is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2: 5–6). Through the sacrifice of Christ, mankind’s relationship with God has been set upon a new foundation. The merit Christ thereby acquired makes liberation from sin—and the un- doing of permanent separation from God—possible: “Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the min- istry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5: 17–19). No human being can achieve salvation on his own. All people are sinners and are thus dependent on God’s activity of salvation (Luke 16: 26). Through Jesus Christ, all human beings, both living and dead, have access to salvation (Acts 13: 47; Romans 14: 9). God’s plan of salvation provides that, in the course of time, salvation will be offered to all who ever lived or ever will live. Thus the spread of the gospel by the early Apostles, the worldwide propagation of Christianity, and the preparation of the bride for the return of Christ are all phases in this plan of salvation. SUMMARY God’s actions are aimed at bringing about salvation—in the sense of “deliver- ance”, “protection”, and “redemption”. This transpires in the form of salva- tion history, in which a series of divine actions occurring in accordance with God’s plan can be identified. This is described as “God’s plan of salvation”. (4.4) The manner and measure of the salvation that is to be imparted varies throughout the different phases of salvation history, however, God’s will to save—which is valid for all people of all time periods—stands above every- thing else. (4.4) 181 4 Mankind in need of redemption In Old Testament times, the hope of salvation was primarily focused on de- liverance from earthly need and captivity. Over the course of time, Israel’s hope for salvation became more and more clearly directed toward the ex- pected Messiah. (4.4.1) The history of salvation in the old covenant is geared toward Jesus Christ, the Redeemer sent by God. He is the author of eternal salvation and the only Mediator between God and human beings. The merit which Christ acquired on the cross makes liberation from sin—and the undoing of the separation from God—possible. (4.4.2) Through Jesus Christ salvation has become accessible to all human beings, both living and dead. No human being can attain redemption on his own. (4.4.2) 4.4.3 The preparation of the bridal congregation Through fellowship with Jesus Christ in word and sacrament, believers today experience salvation by being prepared for the return of Christ, which will enable them to share in the glory of God. The Apostle ministry (see 7.4) has been reoccupied in order to attain salvation in Christ in the current stage of the divine plan of salvation (see 11.3.3). The Apostles have the task of pro- claiming the word of God and dispensing the sacraments (see 8). The objective of imparting salvation in this form is to gather the bride of Christ and prepare her for the Lord’s return. For the bride of Christ, who has believingly accepted the divine offer of grace, salvation consists of entering into eternal fellowship with God—already on the day of the Lord—through the marriage of the Lamb (see also 10.5). In the stages of the plan of salvation which follow after the day of the Lord (see 10.3 to 10.6), salvation can be obtained by other means: Those believers who lost their lives for the sake of their profession to Christ will share in the first resurrection and will reign as priests with Christ. 182