AAMM, Vol. 4, 57 The Church as the People of God and Its Relation to the Church as a Community Robert Osei-Bonsu ABSTRACT—The Bible uses different images for the Church and the common designation is the people of God (Judg 20:2; Heb 4:9). Different views have been expressed by scholars in relation to the meaning of the phrase people of God. Some scholars hold that people of God implies that some people are God’s people while others are not. Others consider all humanity as belonging to the people of God while others posit that only those who do the will of God are the people of God. Some Christians also are of the view that all OT promises to Israel will be fulfilled literally, therefore, just as the people of God refers to Israel in the OT (Deut 32:9; cf. Heb 11:25), in the NT it also applies to Israel (2 Pet 2:1). The image of the Church as the people of God is integral to an understanding that the Church is a community. While the idea of the people of God is integral to the concept of the church, some questions may be raised: In what precise sense should the church be viewed as the people of God? What is the relationship between the people of God and the concept of the church as a community? Paul uses koinonia for religious fellowship (participation) of believers in Christ. Koinonia denotes mutual fellowship among the people of God. Whiles the people of God cannot be defined as koinonia, it characterizes the church. The Church as the people of God gives it an identity as people who belong to the Lord. Keywords: Church, People of God, koinonia, ekklesia, election, community Manuscript received Feb. 11, 2011; revised Jul. 24, 2011; accepted Aug. 10, 2011. Robert Osei-Bonsu (pastorbonsu@hotmail.com) is with the School of Theology and Mission, Valley View University, Accra, Ghana.