Topical Bible: Titles and Names of Saints: People of God

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "People of God" is a significant biblical designation for the community of believers who are set apart for God's purposes. This title underscores the relationship between God and His chosen people, highlighting themes of covenant, identity, and mission.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of the "People of God" finds its roots in the Old Testament, where it primarily refers to the nation of Israel. God chose Israel to be His treasured possession, a holy nation set apart to reflect His glory to the world. In Exodus 19:5-6 , God declares to the Israelites, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This covenantal relationship established Israel as God's people, tasked with living according to His laws and statutes.

Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets reiterate this identity, calling Israel back to faithfulness and reminding them of their unique status. For instance, in Deuteronomy 7:6 , Moses reminds the Israelites, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth."

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the title "People of God" is expanded to include all who are in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his offspring (Genesis 12:3). The Apostle Peter articulates this expanded identity in 1 Peter 2:9-10 : "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

The New Testament church, therefore, inherits the title "People of God," signifying a spiritual continuity with Israel. This new community is characterized by faith in Jesus Christ and is called to live out the implications of being God's people in a world that often stands in opposition to His ways.

Theological Implications

Being the "People of God" carries profound theological implications. It signifies a collective identity rooted in God's redemptive work through Christ. Believers are called to live in holiness, reflecting God's character and purposes. This identity also implies a mission: to be witnesses of God's grace and truth, embodying the gospel in word and deed.

Moreover, the title emphasizes the communal aspect of faith. The "People of God" are not isolated individuals but a body, united in Christ and called to support, encourage, and build one another up in love. This communal identity is expressed through the church, which serves as the visible manifestation of God's people on earth.

Conclusion

The title "People of God" is a rich and multifaceted designation that encapsulates the identity, mission, and communal nature of believers. It serves as a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and His people, calling them to live in faithfulness and to proclaim His excellencies to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 4:9
There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 2:10
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That Worthy Name.
... Oh, the titles, the attributes, the names, the glories ... a few hundred of the descriptions
of that worthy Name are known to God's Saints; but there are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/that worthy name.htm

"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect. For all his Ways are ...
... It was enough of old with the saints, "It is the Lord, let him do ... word Jehovah holds
forth more to angels than all the inculcated names and titles of God ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iii he is the.htm

Psalm LXXXIII.
... the congregation of God's people in the titles of many ... nation or people of God, or
His saints, who know ... For by such names are most suitably figured the enemies ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiii.htm

The Beloved Pastor's Plea for Unity
... and to prove that fellowship he calls them by endearing names, by the highest titles
which they could have, "beloved of God, called to be saints;" and then ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 39 1893/the beloved pastors plea for.htm

The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
... everything you like; but know that those titles will not ... thick jungle of India shall
see the saints of God ... t expect kings to put down their names for trifles. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the kingly priesthood of the.htm

Acts XI
... special reference to character, they were called saints. ... of mystic Babylon, and the
swelling titles by which ... the obligations implied in the names disciple and ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xi.htm

The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3
... him (the Beast) to make war with the saints and to ... Note how the titles of Christ
in verse 8 ("I am ... Some of the names are "blotted out." The others are confessed ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people on the earth .htm

The Wicked Raised, and Satan Loosed
... obscure people, living unknown to the saints; and their ... Their names, "Gog and
Magog,""those applied to the ... Ezek.38:38),"are appropriate titles to designate ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the wicked raised and satan.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... are the pictures or statues to which they append the names of saints, but exhibitions ...
of statues to himself, but also the consecration of titles and stones ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

The Blood of the Covenant
... We could not say to all the saints, "after this ... yet is there great force in these
titles when appropriately ... Other names may have small significance, but in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the blood of the covenant.htm