Ukraine, Russia, Middle East, WW1

Resolutions from the European Baptist Federation Council (24-27 September)

Peacemaking was a theme in all three resolutions taken at the recent meeting of the European Baptist Federation Council in Bucharest. The resolutions focused on Russia and Ukraine, the Middle East and the centenary of the beginning of World War 1. 

(View the Ethics Daily Pinterest board for photos on the latest gathering)


EBF Bucharest RESOLUTION on Ukraine and Russia

The European Baptist Federation Council meeting in Bucharest, Romania 24th – 27th September 2014

Adopts the Baptist World Alliance Resolution from Izmir, Turkey, July 9-11, 2014 regarding the situation in Ukraine:

“The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance

Acknowledges, with deep sadness and great concern, the current political crisis in Ukraine that has resulted in armed conflict, loss of life, displacement of many people and severe tension between Russia and Ukraine;

Notes with concern that, in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine generally, the situation has led to increased religious persecution, especially against evangelical Christians;

Believes that our allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord transcends all our national allegiances and aspirations, and that Christ, by his death on the Cross has "broken down the dividing walls of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14), now and for all time to come;

Supports all efforts by the international community toward freedom, justice and peace for the whole of Ukraine, and all initiatives toward the reconciliation of those who have been in conflict with each another;

Encourages the work of Ukrainian Baptists in reaching out in the love of Christ to those most affected by the conflict;

Urges the leaders and churches of the Baptist unions of Ukraine and Russia to overcome prejudice and misunderstanding in the situation, to seek to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) to each other, and to continue to work together in partnership toward a common vision of mission and the growth of the Kingdom of God in their region; and

Promises to continue to pray for peace and reconciliation among the people of Ukraine and their political leaders, and to support our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine in the challenging days to come.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)


EBF Bucharest RESOLUTION on the Middle East

The European Baptist Federation Council meeting in Bucharest, Romania 24th – 27th September 2014

Recognizes the historic and effective witness of Christians in the Middle East and gives glory to God for their faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

Expresses solidarity with Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East who continue to suffer because of multiple conflicts and aggressive persecution.

Deplores as evil the aggression and actions of extremist groups and prays for an end to all current violence and hatred throughout the Middle East.

Believes that the path to achieve peace and to be free of extremism is through Justice, Development, Human Rights and Rule of Law.

Continues to pray for and support Christians in the Middle East, seeking God to sustain their witness in the midst of their home communities.

Seeks to develop and deepen relationships with Christians in the Middle East and to encourage advocacy for Christians and religious minorities in the region.

Finds hope for all Christians experiencing persecution in the words of the Apostle Paul who said:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:35-39)


EBF Bucharest RESOLUTION on the World War 1 Centenary

The European Baptist Federation Council meeting in Bucharest, Romania 24th – 27th September 2014

Recalls with sorrow in this Centenary year, the sacrifice, slaughter and human suffering which was a result of the First World War.

Challenges Baptists in all regions of the world to work for peace under the lordship and rule of Jesus Christ who said:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

(Matthew 28:19-20)

Resists any form of nationalism which justifies the use of violence, force or oppression as a means of gaining or enforcing power.

Rejoices in the vision of the Bible which unites all peoples and nations through the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Invites European Baptists to be peacemakers and to encourage and model peaceful and non-violent means of conflict resolution in our diverse communities and countries.