Who are we?
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ocala (RPCO) is a church
of the Westminster Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General
Assembly (RPCGA).
What do we believe?
We are reformed in our doctrine.
As a reformed church, we believe the bible to be the infallible word
of God (2 Tim 3:16), the only rule of our faith and practice. Since, however,
there are many churches that claim the Word of God to be their only rule
of faith and practice yet disagree on what it teaches, the RPCO also adheres
to the 1647 edition of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Larger and
Shorter Catechisms as an express statement of what we believe the word
of God teaches. As a reformed church, our three fold purpose is teaching and preaching
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, making and training disciples of Christ, and
taking dominion for our Lord's sake by applying the "general equity" (WCF
XIX.iii) of God's Law to every area of life. We believe that Jesus Christ
is King over the family, church and state, therefore His Word gives us
instruction on how to govern all three. We believe there is no area of
life where Christ's Word does not apply, be it the arts, science, education,
government, family, church, or commerce. Christ is King over all. (Mat.
28:18)
We are Presbyterian in our church government.
We believe that God has ordained in his word a certain form of church government (Tit.1:5; Acts 20:17) This form is called Presbyterian. A church that has the Presbyterian form of church government is ruled by several assemblies of elected Elders. In the RPCGA these assemblies are called session, presbytery, synod and general assembly.
We are puritan in our worship.
The RPCO adheres to The Directory for Public Worship of God contained
in the Westminster Standards. We seek to maintain the simplicity and purity
of worship as set forth by the example of the Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as the early church did, we sing only inspired compositions
and do not use any instrumental accompaniment. We avoid any use of symbols
or ceremonies in worship that are not ordained by God to be used as means
of worshipping Him. Our Worship consists of Prayer, singing the Psalms,
reading of God's Holy Word (we read from KJV), teaching, preaching, offerings and the administration of the sacraments.
Since the Apostolic church celebrated the Lord's Supper almost as often
as they met for worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:18,20,23), we also administer
the sacrament of the Lord's Supper at each morning worship service. Because
Paul warns us not to allow the ignorant, scandalous, and profane to eat
of the Lord's supper (1 Cor. 11:27-31), all that would come to the table
must first be examined by the session as to their understanding of this
holy sacrament, their moral standing, and their membership to a true church
of Jesus Christ.
We are modest in manner and conduct.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (Luke 6:31) is the Golden Rule by which Christ has instructed the faithful to live. Modesty in manners and conduct is the practical application of this rule in our
everyday interaction with others. Out of love for one another we strive
not to say, do, or wear anything that is crude, rude, offensive, gaudy,
or unchaste. Modesty in manners and conduct is not simply a set of external
rules, but the out working of a heart that truly cares about others before
itself. Good manners and conduct show that you respect, and are, considerate
of others. They demonstrate that from the heart you put others concerns
and needs before your own.
We are self-sacrificing in our love one for another.
Jesus tells us that Godly Love is the mark of a true disciple (John
13:35). Paul taught that you can have every doctrine correct, work amazing
miracles, do great deeds of apparent self sacrifice but if you have not
Godly Love it profits you nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Godly love is patient
and kind. It is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not
insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful. It never satisfies
it's desires at the expense of another, but is willing to sacrifice it's
own needs, wants, desires, and liberties for the sake of another (1 Cor.
13:4-7; Rom. 14:15-23). We do not claim to have attained to perfect love,
but it is towards this high standard that we daily strive for.
We invite you to join us for Worship on this Lord’s Day.
For Location and Times
