THE PEOPLE OF GOD

God's covenant peopleo Concerning the nation of Israel, God said: "This people have I formed for

myself; they shall show forth my praise" (lsa.43:21)0 When God visited them in Egypt, He said: "I

will take you to me for a people and will be to you a God"(Ex. 6:7)o How wonderful, to be chosen

by God for His very own people o

Cut offo Natural Israel failed to obey God, however; and except for an "elect remnant" which

accepted Jesus as their Messiah, they had to be "cut off" from the covenant promises (Romo 11 :5,

20)o But this did not frustrate God's purpose to have a people to show forth His praiseo Through

Christ, God made a new covenant which provided for the "grafting in" of the Gentiles as a part of

His covenant people (Romo 11:17)0 This new covenant is based, not upon works (or man's ability) as

was the covenant to Israel through Moses, but upon FAITH in God's ability, made available through

the grace of Christo

The new covenant o This new covenant based upon better promises is the subject of the book of Hebrews,

and the writer quotes God's Word through Jeremiah concerning it:"Behold, the days come,

saith the Lord, when I wP I make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

o . I will put my laws into their mind, and will write them in their hearts: and I will be to

them a God, and they sh 0,I I be to me a people (see Heb o 8:6-13)0 Since this covenant is based upon

"faith" rather than "race", all who believe in Christ are a part of the "house of Israel"; the seed of

Abraham by faith (Galo 3:29), and thus THE COVENANT PEOPLE OF GOD •.

A people for His Nameo God is now fulfilling His purpose to "visit the Gentiles, to take out of

them a people for his name" (Acts 15:14). Thus Peter says that the Gentiles "in time ?ast were not

a people, but are NOW the people of God;who in time past had not obtained mercy, but now have

obtained mercy"(! Peto 2:10). It is the people of FAITH in Christ(both Jews and Gentiles)who are

now "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, A PEOPLE FOR GOD'S OWN POSESSION

(I Peto 2 :9, New American Stand9rd). And the purpose is that we should "show forth the praises of

Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous lighto"

Symbolic pictures. In order to help us to understand just what it means to be the people of God,

there are many metaphors (comparisons), or symbolic representations given to us in the scriptureso

Each is designed to give us a particular insight into the nature and character of God and His relationship

to us, and our relationship to Him as His peopleo Each opens up to us from different perspectives

the manner of God's dealings with us, the goals He has for us, the lessons He wants us to

learn, the qualities He wants to develop within us, and the things He has prepared for us in this

present world and that which is to come (I Coro 2:9-I0)o The following are listed for consideration,

and each will be developed into a separate study. The people of God are referred to as:

(I) The church of God, from the Gr o word ekklesia which means the "called out ones" o Israel was

referred to as !'the church in the wilderness"(Acts 7:38)because they were called out of Egypt and

unto the promised lando So are we CALLED out of the darkness of this world (I Peto 2:9) unto the

light and glory of His Kingdom (I Thesso 2:12, II Thesso 2:14)0 In our "journey" toward that heavenly

promised land, there are many "callings" which we must experience and enter into as a part

of our preparation o Thes,~ shall be considered later. I Cor. I :2, 9.

(2) The building (house) or "temple" of God (I Cor. 3:9), as a habitation or dwelling place for God

by the Spirit (Epho 2:21-72)0 Christ is the foundation (I Cor. 3:11) and chiet corner-stone (Ephes. 2:

20), and we are the "living stones" of that temple (I Pet. 2:5)o The stones of this temple are being

cut, shaped, and built upon the foundation, and being "fitly framed together'i, that in time this

temple might be filled with the fulness of the glory of God (Eph. 3:19).

(3) The family of God, because we are born of Him (John 1:12-13, 3:3, I Pet. 1:23). Christ is our

elder brother (Heb. 2:14), the firstborn among many brethren (Rom. 8:29), the pattern son (I Pet.

2:21), and our kinsman-redeemer, who has paid the price to restore our lostinheritance(I Pet.1:18-

20), that we might be joint-heirs with Him (Rom. 8:17) in His glory (Heb. 2:10). We are 11waiting 11

for our 11adoption 11 (placing as mature sons), Rom. 8:23, and must continue to "grow up" in all

things (Eph. 4:13-15), "going on unto perfection (maturity), Heb. 6:1.

(4) The Bride of Christ. The new covenant is likened unto a marriage contract, whereby those who

are united unto the lord are ONE in Spirit (I Cor. 6:17), espoused or betrothed to ONE husband,

and are to remain faithful to Him as "chaste virgins" (II Cor. II :2). The Bride is now being "made

ready" (Mt. 25:10, Rev. 19:7-8), during the absence of the Bridegroom (Lk. 5:34-35), so that she

who is now legally joined to Him through the vows of espousal, may be personally joined to Him

when He comes to take her to Himself as the returning Bridegroom (Mt. 25:6). Eph. 5:25-32.

(5) The body of Christ. "A body hast thou prepared me" (Heb. 10:5). As the physical body of Chris1·

was His vehicle or instrument to use in His ministry of fulfi I ling the law and bringing in the new

covenant, so is the church His spiritual body: the instrument of His purpose during this age to preach

the gospel (good news) of redemption, and to manifest His grace and glory to the world. Christ is

the HEAD from which a 11 direction comes, and we are the members, each with our own function and

ministry in relation to Hirn, the other members, and the world (Eph. 1:22-23, I Cor. 12:1-31).

(6) The kingdom of God. Because we are "born of God (John 1:12-13, 3:3), He has "delivered us

from the power of darkness, and hath translated us (put us over) into the kingdom of his dear Son"

(Col. I :13). V/e are no more "strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints" (Eph. 2:

19). Christ is now the King-priest after the order of Melchisedec (Heb. 7:1-2), 21), to return to the

earth as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rev. 17:14, 19:16), and we are being preparedas"overcomers11

to be the co-rulers with Him in His Kingdom. (Rev. 3:21, I :6, 5:10, 20:4, 6).

(7) The flock-of God O We ar~ the sheep who had gone astray through sin, but are 11now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop (overseer) of our souls" (I Pet. 2:25). Christ is the "good shepherd"

who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11), the "great shepherd" through His resurrection and

exauitation (Heb. 13 :20), and the 11chief shepherd II who appoints under-shepherds to feed His flock

(I Pet. 5:1-4). As His sheep we are to follow Him and hear only His voice (John 10:27).

(8) The husbandry (farm) of God. Christ is the Sower who sows the seed of the Word in our hearts

(Mt. 13:18-23), bringing forth 30, 60 and 100 fold Christians; or the blade, the ear, and the full

grain in the ear Christians (Mk. 4:26-28), depending on our growth and response to the Lord in the

"field" of this world (Mt. 13:38). Christ is also the true Vine planted by the Father and we are the

branches, learning to abide in Him, and letting His Word abide in us, that we might bring forth the

much fruit He desires (John 15:1-8).

(9) The disciples of Christo The word "disciple II is from the Greek word mathetes, meaning 11a

taught or trained one 11. The word is used in the Gospels to denote the close followers of Jesus who

were being taught and disciplined by Him. In relation to such disciples, Jesus was the Master or

Teacher, from the Greek word didaskalos. It refers to one who has the authority over another to

teach and discipline him in the ways of truth and righteousness. The requirements of discipleship

are high, as given by Jesus in Lk. 14:26-33, Mt. 10:37-39; but the rewards shall be great (Mt. 19:

27-29).

(10) The servants (slaves) of Christ. Christ is pictured in the New Testament as the Lord or Master

who has purchc:sed us and therefore we be long to Him (I Cor. 6:19-20). The followers of Jesus called

Him "Teacher and LORD", and Jesus said, "ye say well; for so I AM" (John 13:13)0 As Hisservants

(slaves) we own nothing of ourselves, but are "stewards" over all things commited to us by

Him, both material and spiritual, and it is required of us that we be found faithful (Luke 16:10-13,

I Coro 4:1-2)0 As in the type (Deuto 15:16-17), we are the Lord's voluntary love-slaves.

(II) The priests of Godo As our High Priest, Christ ever lives to make intercession for us at the

right hand of the Father (Romo 8:34, Heb. 4:14-16, 7:25-26, 8:1). In the Oo T., the ministering

priests were those born into the family of Aaron the High Priest, who is a type of Christo We who

are "born of Christ"are now "a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God

through Jesus Christ" (I Peto 2:5). We are to present our bodies a "living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1), and

offer the sacrifice of praise continually (Heb. 13:15), as a "sweet savor" unto God (II Cor. 2:15).

(12) The army of God. Christ is our "captain" or chief leader (Heb. 2:10). We have been elisted

as "good soldiers" of Christ Jesus (II Tim .,2 :3-4), that we might "war the good warfare" (I Tim. I :18)

and "withstand in the evil day" with the armor provided for us by the Lord (Eph. 6:13-18). Our

warfare is not against "flesh and blood", but against "spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly

places" (Eph. 6:12)0 Our weapons are not of the flesh, but mighty through God to the pulling

down of the strongholds of the enemy (II Coro 10:3-5).

(13) The vessels of Godo Christ is the treasure in these "earthen vessels" (II Cor 0 4:7) 0 As the potter

molds a vessel according to his purpose and choosing, so are we being molded as clay in the

God's hand (Rom. 9:20-21)0 We are "vessels of mercy" being prepared unto glory, but only those

who allow the Lord to do His preparing (molding) work within will be "vessels of honor" (II Tim O 2:

20-21); others in the same "house" will be "vessels to dishonor."

(14) The athletes of God. We are to fight a good fight (as a boxer) and finish our course (as a

runner), th~t we might receive the "crown" (prize) of victory, as those who have overcome (II Tim.

2:5, 4:7-8), I Coro 9:24-27). Jesus was the forerunner (Heb. 6:20), the first overcomer (John 16:

33) to gain the victory and be crowned (Revo 14:14)0 There are special promises to the overcomers

in Reva 2:7, II, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21, 21:7, and there are "crowns" for those who "press toward the

mark for the prize of the high calling"(Phil. 3:14). SeeJames 1:12, I Pet. 5:4, Rev. 2:10.

(15) 0 The laborers of God. We are "laborers together with God'' (I Cor. 3:9). We are sent forth

to labor in the vineyard or farm of God, even as was Christ. "As my Father sent me, even so send

I you" (John 20:21 ). Every one who labors receives wages (John 4:36)0 Others have labored, and

we enter into their labors (John 4:28). Some sow, some water, and some reap (John 4:37, I Cor.

3:6-8). Rewardare for work well done (I Cor. 9:17, I Tim. 5:18, II John 8, Rev. 11:18, 22:12).

(16) The redeemed of G,.:,d. The people of God are a "redeemed" people. The word "redeem" means

to purchase (and loose) by the payment of a price. Redemption implies antecedent bondage from

which there is need of deliverance. Since God redeemed Israel from Egyp-, they were His people,

and owed service to Him as a nation (Ex. 6:6-7). The Hebrew word for "redeemer" is goel, meaning

the nearest kinsman. The chief function of the redeemer was to "redeem" (buy back) the land

that had been sold by a brother in distress, and restore his inheritance to him (Lev. 25:23-25), or

if a brother sold himself into bondage because of debt, the near kinsman could redeem and set him

free (Lev. 25:47-49). When Israel went into captivity to Assyria ang Babylon, lost their land and

were in bondage, they needed a redeemer and looked to Jehovah to~ome their goel, who set

them free and restored them to their land (Jer. 50:33-34, Isa. 51:9-11). The near kinsman was also

to avenge the blood of a slain relative (see Num. 35:10-34). Under the New Covenant, Christ is

our kinsman redeemer (Heb. 2 :14-18), giving Himself as a ransom (Titus 2 :14, I Pet. I :18) to deliver

us from sin and all its consequences. He has purchased us and we are His (I Cor. 6:19-20).

He is also the avenger, meting out divine retribution on our behalf (Rom. 12:19).

(17) g,Jilders with God. "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. 11

Ps. 1:27:1. There are two builders in this passage: "the Lord" and "they" that labour with Him.

The Lord is a BUILDER (11 !-ie that built all things is God"--Heb. 3:4); but we are also helping to

build t'1at which will determine our future life-quality and destiny. We begin by accepting the

Lord Jesus Christ as the one and ,:,nly foundation (I Cor. 3:11), a11d then we begin to build on that

foundation, "gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble" (I Cor. 3:12)--representing the

spiritual works and disciplines that build character qualities which will endure, or fleshly works

which foster human and carnal traits which cannot be allowed to continue. All work will be tested

and exposed by the "fire" of God's Spirit and dealings. Great reward will come to one whose

work abides, but great loss to one whose works are burned, even though he himself shall be saved

"as by fire" (I Cor. 3:13-15).

(18) Pilgrims of God. When Abraham was called out of the land of Otaldea, he was led by God

to sojourn in a 5trange land that was not his, but was promised to his posterity (Gen. 12:1-3, 15:

18). Thus he became a pilgrim, with no permanent dwelling place. He dwelt in tents with Isaac

and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise (Heb. 11:9). Even so, we, as the spiritual seed

of Abraham (Ga. 3:7, 29), are also dwelling in temporary "tents" (our physical bodies), having

no permanent dwelling place here in this world. Like Abraham we "look for a city which hath

foundations, whose builder an:I '11aker is God" (Heb. 11:10), also confessing that we are "strangers

and pilgrims o!'l the earth" (Heb. II :13), waiting for the fulfillment of the promised inherita"lce.

(19) Stars of God. Abraham's seed or descendents were to be a:; the sand of the sea and the stars

of h~~e;;-(~-;:;:-15:5, 22:17). Th,~ "sand" refers to his natural seed, and the "stars" to his spiritual

seed, through faith (Ga. 3:7, 29). Jesus is referred to as a "star" {Num. 24:17, Rev. 2:28,

22:16). Stars are heavenly bodies, and are thus especially symbolic of those who are to reign with

Christ in the heavenlies in glorified bodies like unto His (Phil. 3:21). Paul's teaching on the resurrection

indicates different kinds of bodies for those to be resurrected: some having celestial (spiritual)

bodies, an:I others terrestrial (earthly) bodies (I Cor. J5_:38-40) ~ Even among thestar,.s, he soys-,

"one- star differeth from another star in glory (I Cor. 15:41), indicating not all who are translated to

the heavenly kingdom will have the same degree of glory. Then we read in Dan. 12:3 of those who

will rule with Christ in His heavenly kin3dom: "they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of

the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the STARS for ever and ever. 11

(20) The inheritance of God. Israel, as the people of God, were called II God's inheritance" (Ps.

74:2, Isa. 63:i?). Even so, the church, which is the "new Israel", is Christ's inheritance. Jesus

spoke in His final prayer to the Father of "the men which thou gavest me out of the world" (John 17:

6), and further said, "I pray for them which thou has given me" (John 17:9). Paul prays for the

Ephesian Christians as recorded in Ephes. I :18, that their understanding might be enlightened to

know "what is the riches of the glory of HIS ( Christ's) inheritance IN the saints." Just as we have

a pro'Tlised inheTitancelN CHRIST, so HE has a promised inheritance IN US, even as Jesus said: "ye

in me, and I in you (John 14:20). Should we not then let Him fully possess His inheritance? Only

as we let Him possess His inheritance in us, will we also fully possess our inheritance in Him. We

nead to see this DOUBLE application to the inlieritance truth, as Paul says in I Cor. 3:21-23: "ALL

things are your~'(our inheritance), but then he adds, "and YE are Otrists" (His inheritance in us).

Rich. How rich is our position as the people of God, and how great the riches that are destined for

~;wand in the future if we will seek to comprehend and move into all that God has for us as His

people. "For ye knYN the grace of our Lord Jesus Oirist, that, though he was rich, yet for your

sakes he beca'Tle poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 11 (II Cor. 8:9).