It seems to me that this discussion is rather pointless, since it does not alter the basic tenet of the Christian faith which is "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Whether Jesus was God on earth or God's representative on earth, His mission was the same. And it is certain from the Gospels that he had the power of God.
Matthew 9, verses 4 through 8, tells the story of Jesus telling a paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven, and the Pharisees (mentally) accused him of blasphemy. "Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “'Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.' So he said to the paralyzed man, 'Get up, take your mat and go home.' Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. (emphasis added)
In Matthew 10:1, "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."
Finally, in John 14:9-11, after Philip asked Him to "show us the Father", "Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves."
So it seems to me that whether or not Jesus and God were one and the same, the premise remains the same. In order to gain salvation, we must accept God's offer by recognizing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.