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Answered God's Call

Spiritual Knowledge

As co-director of the Bible and Theology program, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the graduates of the 2020 class from Nazarene Bible College. I know that the journey through the various requirements, demands, classes, exegetical papers (!), and examinations is not an easy journey, but it is worth it. The diploma you will soon hold in your hands is a testimony to your hard work, prayers, perseverance, invaluable family support, and God’s grace in your life. While it might seem like this moment of graduation is the final destination and ending of your journey, it is actually only the first milestone in an adventure of devotion, sacrifice, and joyful service to God through Christ. I am excited to see and hear how God is going to use and bless you as you step out in faith in answer to God’s call on your life. No one can promise you that the next steps will be easy. But with the sure and certain confidence of God’s abiding presence and help, He will make you equal to any task He brings before you. He is so faithful and good!

I would like to send you out with a passage from 2 Peter 1:3. Peter wrote, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” Throughout his second epistle, Peter contrasts “worldly knowledge” (gnosis) with “spiritual knowledge” (epignosis). The knowledge Peter mentions here in 1:3 refers to the fundamental knowledge of Christ gained in conversion. In other words, Christ—through his divine power—has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of and ongoing relationship with Christ himself. A person can gain knowledge at any one of a vast number of different educational institutions. But it is my hope and prayer (based on Peter’s affirmation in 1:3) that the knowledge you have received at NBC will prove to be a spiritual knowledge that will be an ever-glowing witness of Christ’s glory and goodness in your life as you go out to serve Him with faithfulness and joy.

Dr. Daniel G. Powers, Ph.D., Co-director Bible and Theology program, Professor of New Testament