Many people hear the phrase “People of God” and wonder what it truly means. It’s a beautiful title that tells us who we are as the Church — not just an institution or a building, but a living community of believers whom God Himself has chosen and gathered. When we say the Church is the “People of God,” we are speaking about a family born from God’s love and brought together by faith in Christ.
In Scripture, this idea begins with the covenant God made with Israel: “I will be your God, and you shall be my people” (Leviticus 26:12). Through Jesus, this covenant is fulfilled and opened to all nations. In Him, we are no longer divided by race, culture, or language — we are one body, one people, bound together by baptism and the Holy Spirit. As Saint Peter wrote, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people” (1 Peter 2:9).
The Church, then, is not just about God — it belongs to God. Every believer has a place and a purpose in this people. We are called not only to believe, but to live in communion with one another, to pray together, to serve the world, and to bear witness to God’s love. This is why the Church is described as both divine and human — God’s work of grace lived through ordinary men and women.
What this means for us is deeply personal. To be part of the People of God is to know that you are never alone. You belong to a story much greater than yourself — the story of salvation that began long before you and will continue forever in Christ. Our faith is not a private possession, but a shared journey. Together, as God’s people, we walk in hope toward His kingdom.
May we never forget that being part of the Church means being part of God’s own family. Let us live each day as His people — chosen, loved, and sent to bring His light into the world.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
