About the Editor of
FreeBalkans.com
FreeBalkans.com
Jerry Low (Djeri Lo) - Editor
I am a Texan that has been praying for the Balkan
countries for over 25 years. For four years in the
1980s I was privileged to be able to live there. In
1986 I married a Hungarian Yugoslav lady and we
have been happy ever since. We have three
children now. I lived in Subotica and Temerin,
Yugoslavia (Serbia) while I was there. I was a
missionary sent out from my church in Texas.
Because Yugoslavia was communist then, I mainly
had to minister behind the scenes. I found myself
mainly working as a support person for
Hungaria/Yugoslav church leaders. At that time I
traveled to many parts of Yugoslavia, Romania,
Greece, Hungary and Poland. I worked in many
Christian youth camps and pastor conferences.
Although I took a language course in a university in
Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, I never became fluent in the
Serbian language. I do dream of moving back to
Serbia someday and learning the language.
For now I am trapped in America but I keep praying
passionately for the Balkans. May God move
mightily in that land to bring true freedom to the
Balkan people. Only God can replace the centuries
of strife with a peaceful, productive brotherhood.
I have an Associate Degree in Practical Theology
from Christ For the Nations in Dallas, Texas.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| THE FIRST BALKAN EVANGELICAL CONFERENCE BEC '96 - 6-7 September 1996 SAVA CENTER, Belgrade, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DECLARATION of the FIRST BALKAN EVANGELICAL CONFERENCE We, the participants of the First Balkan Evangelical Conference, led by the Holy Spirit, call on Evangelical Christians: To protect our faith in the same manner in which the Apostles brought it to the Balkans; regardless of all that has happened and is happening, because "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." To restore hope in a world which has been left without hope, because we are certain that nations cannot live without direction and Christ has revealed to us the glory of God for which it is worth to live and die. To abound in love becuase love is the only worthy basis of man's relationship with God, of man with man and nation with nation, which we consider especially crucial in these times of alienation and estrangement. To not cease to regard righteousness in the Holy Spirit so that in all of our nations, apart from essential laws, virtues would be cultivated as well as the desire to do more for our neighbor than what is normally expected. To preserve peace where it exists and to make every effort to establish peace where there is none, although we are aware that we cannot erase traces of the past in any way other than through the blood of Jesus Christ. To not forget and thereby rob others of the joy of sins forgiven, on account of the comfort given to the repentant and on account of the Comforter who even today is mightily at work among us. To praise God who has sent us His only Son and who will send Him again so that He might be all in all and that we remain a people set apart to worship Him from now and to all eternity. Belgrade, September 7, 1996 |
FreeBalkans.com fully supports the intent
and declarations set forth in the following
conference held in 1996.
and declarations set forth in the following
conference held in 1996.
| * * * * * * * |
Doctrinal Statement
Our purpose, however, in providing a web page is not for endless doctrinal
disputes, but to be a place of ministry and healing for those in need.
Christians have always had diversity in their theology and will continue to do
so until the great return of the Master teacher himself.
In the meantime, we want to provide healing and encouragement to the body
of Christ at large. What we believe may divide us, but in whom we believe
should unite us.
THREE DIMENSIONS OF ONE GOD (1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; 1 Tim 3:16)
We believe in one God who is eternal in His existence, Triune in His
manifestation, being both Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that He is Sovereign
and Absolute in His authority.
We believe in the Father who is God Himself, Creator of the universe. (Gen 1:1;
John 1:1)
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (Col 2:9)
He suffered, died, was buried, and rose from the dead for our total salvation
(Luke 3:21-22; Philippians 2:5-11).
We believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the
Father except through Him (John 3:36; John 3:31-32; John 14:6).
We believe in the Holy Spirit who is God indwelling, empowering and
regenerating the believer. This Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. The Spirit of
Truth (John 14:17, 14:26)
We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ atones for our sins and iniquity. It is
through His shed blood that we are saved, healed and set free from bondage
and the forces of darkness (Romans 5:9-11; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 12:11).
We believe that every believer must have a personal and intimate relationship
with Jesus Christ, for apart from Him we can do nothing. Each person has a
ministry from God that no one else can fill. We are to instruct, teach, exhort,
and admonish believers in the ways of God (John 15:1-5; Hebrews 13:5-6).
We believe that the Bible is the true infallible Word of God, which cleanses our
souls. It holds the words of eternal life and the keys of the Kingdom of God.
The Bible shows us God's principles and standards for living; and it is the food
that sustains us in all circumstances (John 1:14; 2 Timothy 3: 16-17; 1 John 2:
5-6).
We believe that we are to wash and renew our minds daily by the Word of God.
We must learn His ways and exchange our way of thinking for His. We are to
be conformed to the Kingdom of God by the molding and shaping of His
Hands (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:23-29; Philippians 4:8).
We believe in justification by faith. We believe that salvation is free and apart
from any work of man is a result of the sovereign grace of God. (Eph 2:8-9, Gal
5:5, Rom 5:1)
We believe in worshipping the Lord in spirit, song, dance and with the raising
of our hands. We believe that we are to praise and worship Him with our whole
being (Psalms 150:1-6; John 4:24).
We believe that in Godly living and the pursuit of a holy life should be the goal
of every believer. (Heb 12:14, Phil 3:14)
We believe that believers should be water baptized by immersion for the
circumcision of our hearts. It is through baptism that we publicly identify with
the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians
2:11-14; Acts 2:38).
We believe that all Christians need to partake of the communion elements
which represent the Lord Jesus' body and blood. It is by participating in the
Lord's Supper that we proclaim His death until His return (John 6:53-58; 1
Corinthians 11:23-30).
We believe in the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We believe that Christians should
be filled daily so the attributes of the Holy Spirit can have His freedom to work
in us and through us to accomplish God’s perfect will. (Acts 2:4; Ephesians 5:
18-21).
We believe in the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He ministers to
His people through tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy; words of
knowledge and wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, working of miracles, and
healing (Mark 16:15-18; Acts 5:16; 2 Corinthians 12:1-11).
We believe that it is God's will to heal and deliver His people today as He did in
the days of the first Apostles. It is by the stripes of Jesus that we are healed,
delivered and made whole. We have authority over sickness, disease,
demons, curses, and every circumstance in life (Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 10:
4-5; 1 Peter 2:24).
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not
believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In
My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will
take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt
them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:15-18,
New King James Version))
Belief Statement
The Bible, the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired
Word of God without error in the original writings, and complete revelation of
His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for all
Christian faith and life.
God--There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally
existing in three Manifestations: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ--Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived
of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, the
complete and final sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further,
He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand
of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
The Holy Spirit--The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ
and during this age, to convict men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner,
indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.
Man--Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore
lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and
spiritual life be obtained.
Salvation--The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the
only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as
receive Jesus Christ by faith are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become
children of God.
The Return of Jesus Christ--The personal, pre-millennial, and imminent return
of our Lord Jesus Christ is our hope and has a vital bearing on the personal
life and service of the believer.
Future Events--There will be a bodily resurrection of all the dead; of the
believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and of the
unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.
The Church--The true Church is composed of all such persons, who through
saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are
united together in the body of Christ of which He is the head.
Baptism and Communion--Water baptism by immersion soon after accepting
Christ as personal Savior, is a testimony of death to sin and resurrection to a
new life and the Lord's Supper is a memorial service setting forth in sacred
and symbolic manner the death of the Lord Jesus Christ; all true believers and
only believers should share in it.
Our purpose, however, in providing a web page is not for endless doctrinal
disputes, but to be a place of ministry and healing for those in need.
Christians have always had diversity in their theology and will continue to do
so until the great return of the Master teacher himself.
In the meantime, we want to provide healing and encouragement to the body
of Christ at large. What we believe may divide us, but in whom we believe
should unite us.
THREE DIMENSIONS OF ONE GOD (1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; 1 Tim 3:16)
We believe in one God who is eternal in His existence, Triune in His
manifestation, being both Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that He is Sovereign
and Absolute in His authority.
We believe in the Father who is God Himself, Creator of the universe. (Gen 1:1;
John 1:1)
We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (Col 2:9)
He suffered, died, was buried, and rose from the dead for our total salvation
(Luke 3:21-22; Philippians 2:5-11).
We believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the
Father except through Him (John 3:36; John 3:31-32; John 14:6).
We believe in the Holy Spirit who is God indwelling, empowering and
regenerating the believer. This Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. The Spirit of
Truth (John 14:17, 14:26)
We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ atones for our sins and iniquity. It is
through His shed blood that we are saved, healed and set free from bondage
and the forces of darkness (Romans 5:9-11; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 12:11).
We believe that every believer must have a personal and intimate relationship
with Jesus Christ, for apart from Him we can do nothing. Each person has a
ministry from God that no one else can fill. We are to instruct, teach, exhort,
and admonish believers in the ways of God (John 15:1-5; Hebrews 13:5-6).
We believe that the Bible is the true infallible Word of God, which cleanses our
souls. It holds the words of eternal life and the keys of the Kingdom of God.
The Bible shows us God's principles and standards for living; and it is the food
that sustains us in all circumstances (John 1:14; 2 Timothy 3: 16-17; 1 John 2:
5-6).
We believe that we are to wash and renew our minds daily by the Word of God.
We must learn His ways and exchange our way of thinking for His. We are to
be conformed to the Kingdom of God by the molding and shaping of His
Hands (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:23-29; Philippians 4:8).
We believe in justification by faith. We believe that salvation is free and apart
from any work of man is a result of the sovereign grace of God. (Eph 2:8-9, Gal
5:5, Rom 5:1)
We believe in worshipping the Lord in spirit, song, dance and with the raising
of our hands. We believe that we are to praise and worship Him with our whole
being (Psalms 150:1-6; John 4:24).
We believe that in Godly living and the pursuit of a holy life should be the goal
of every believer. (Heb 12:14, Phil 3:14)
We believe that believers should be water baptized by immersion for the
circumcision of our hearts. It is through baptism that we publicly identify with
the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians
2:11-14; Acts 2:38).
We believe that all Christians need to partake of the communion elements
which represent the Lord Jesus' body and blood. It is by participating in the
Lord's Supper that we proclaim His death until His return (John 6:53-58; 1
Corinthians 11:23-30).
We believe in the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We believe that Christians should
be filled daily so the attributes of the Holy Spirit can have His freedom to work
in us and through us to accomplish God’s perfect will. (Acts 2:4; Ephesians 5:
18-21).
We believe in the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He ministers to
His people through tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy; words of
knowledge and wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, working of miracles, and
healing (Mark 16:15-18; Acts 5:16; 2 Corinthians 12:1-11).
We believe that it is God's will to heal and deliver His people today as He did in
the days of the first Apostles. It is by the stripes of Jesus that we are healed,
delivered and made whole. We have authority over sickness, disease,
demons, curses, and every circumstance in life (Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 10:
4-5; 1 Peter 2:24).
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not
believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In
My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will
take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt
them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:15-18,
New King James Version))
Belief Statement
The Bible, the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired
Word of God without error in the original writings, and complete revelation of
His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for all
Christian faith and life.
God--There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally
existing in three Manifestations: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ--Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived
of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, the
complete and final sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further,
He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand
of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
The Holy Spirit--The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ
and during this age, to convict men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner,
indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.
Man--Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore
lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and
spiritual life be obtained.
Salvation--The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the
only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as
receive Jesus Christ by faith are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become
children of God.
The Return of Jesus Christ--The personal, pre-millennial, and imminent return
of our Lord Jesus Christ is our hope and has a vital bearing on the personal
life and service of the believer.
Future Events--There will be a bodily resurrection of all the dead; of the
believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and of the
unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.
The Church--The true Church is composed of all such persons, who through
saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are
united together in the body of Christ of which He is the head.
Baptism and Communion--Water baptism by immersion soon after accepting
Christ as personal Savior, is a testimony of death to sin and resurrection to a
new life and the Lord's Supper is a memorial service setting forth in sacred
and symbolic manner the death of the Lord Jesus Christ; all true believers and
only believers should share in it.