Who are the people of God?
The Bible refers to the “people of God” in several places, pointing to those who belong to and follow God. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the people of God:
The Israelites as the people of God
In the Old Testament, the Israelites are called the people of God. God chose Abraham and his descendants to be his special people:
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 7:6)
“For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession.” (Psalm 135:4)
God delivered the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai. He gave them his laws and promised to be their God if they would be faithful to him (Exodus 19-24). The Israelites were to be distinct from the other nations as God’s treasured people, a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6).
However, the Israelites repeatedly disobeyed God and broke his covenant. The Old Testament prophets rebuked them for their unfaithfulness and called them to repentance. But the prophets also offered hope of a future day when God would act to save and restore his people for the sake of his own name (Ezekiel 36:22-28).
The remnant of Israel as the people of God
Within Israel, there was a faithful “remnant” who trusted in God and his promises. Isaiah wrote about this remnant as the ongoing people of God even amidst Israel’s failures (Isaiah 10:20-22). Paul confirms this in Romans 9-11, showing that even when most of Israel did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, there was a remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:5). So the faithful Israelite remnant forms a continuity between Old Testament Israel and the New Testament people of God.
The church as the people of God
In the New Testament, the boundaries of the people of God expand to include Gentiles along with Jews. All those who put their faith in Jesus Christ become part of his church, the body of Christ. So the church is now called the people of God (2 Corinthians 6:16; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9-10).
The New Testament uses Old Testament language once applied to Israel and applies it to the church. For example:
– The church is the temple where God’s Spirit dwells (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16).
– The church has been redeemed by the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 9:11-15).
– The church is called God’s chosen people, royal priesthood, and holy nation (1 Peter 2:9-10).
So there is both discontinuity and continuity between Israel and the church. Discontinuity in that the covenantal privileges are now open to Gentiles also. But continuity in that the church fulfills God’s purposes for Israel, as the ongoing people of God under the New Covenant in Christ.
All believers in Christ are part of God’s people
Every person who repents of sin and believes in Jesus is born again into God’s family and becomes part of the people of God, the church (John 1:12-13). There are no longer ethnic, social, or gender barriers to being included (Galatians 3:28). Through faith in Christ, both Jews and Gentiles are reconciled to God and each other in one body (Ephesians 2:11-22).
The New Testament emphasizes the unity that all believers share as the one people of God. For example:
– There is one body and one Spirit (Ephesians 4:4-6).
– Gentile Christians are “fellow heirs” and “members of the same body” as Jewish Christians (Ephesians 3:3-6).
– In Christ, believers are all “one in Christ Jesus” and belong to Him (Galatians 3:28).
So everyone who believes in Jesus is included in the people of God, united by faith in him.
The people of God are to reflect his character
As God’s special people, the church is called to reflect his character and fulfill his purposes in the world. The New Testament gives several pictures of what the people of God should look like:
– The people of God are to be holy, set apart for God and distinct from the world (Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).
– They are children of God who increasingly resemble Christ and live according to his commands (Ephesians 5:1-2).
– They form a family, the household of God united in love (1 Timothy 3:15; Galatians 6:10).
– They are ambassadors who carry out God’s mission and ministry of reconciliation in the world (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
So the people of God are to display his character of love and unity. They are to fulfill God’s purposes by living holy lives, making disciples, and testifying about Jesus.
Perseverance is needed among God’s people
The New Testament epistles were written to urge early Christian churches to persevere as the faithful people of God amidst persecution and false teaching. Challenges would come, but they were to stand firm in Christ and not abandon the faith. For example:
– Ephesians urges them to walk in unity, holiness and love (Ephesians 4:1-6:9).
– Philippians calls them to shine as lights for Christ in the midst of a crooked generation (Philippians 2:14-18).
– Hebrews exhorts them to hold fast and not drift away from the hope of the gospel (Hebrews 2:1-3).
– 1 Peter encourages them to be steadfast under trial, reject sin, and keep following Jesus (1 Peter 1:13-25; 4:1-5:11).
Perseverance would mark out who were true members of God’s people (Matthew 13:20-21). Those who endured by faith would show themselves to be “wheat” rather than “weeds” (Matthew 13:24-30).
The future hope of God’s people
The New Testament concludes with Revelation’s vision of God’s people standing before his throne, purified through suffering (Revelation 7:9-17). God promises to make his dwelling with them forever in the new creation (Revelation 21:1-4).
Until then, the church lives as sojourners and exiles on earth, awaiting the return of Christ (1 Peter 2:11-12). At his return, God’s people will be resurrected and rewarded for their faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). They will finally see God face-to-face and be glorified together with Christ (1 John 3:1-3; Romans 8:17-19).
So the people of God can look forward in hope to an eternal future with God. He will transform them to perfectly reflect his glory and reign with him forever.
Summary
The people of God refers to all those chosen by God’s grace to belong to him through faith in Christ. While Israel had a special role in the Old Testament, now people from every nation are included in God’s covenant people, the church. All in Christ are united as one family sharing an amazing hope. God’s people are to reflect his holy character, fulfilling their mission in the world. Amidst struggles, they persevere by faith, looking ahead to their ultimate redemption when Christ returns. Then at last, the people of God will be perfected to enjoy life with him forever.
