Who are we?

Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ocala (RPCO) is a particular church of the Westminster Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly (RPCGA).

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 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 appointed form of government is 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 word and 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, 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 other people’s 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.

We are committed to private and family devotions.

While it is important that we maintain and promote purity of and faithfulness too corporate worship, it is of equal importance to press upon each individual Christian their obligation for private devotions and press upon the heads of households their duty to lead their families in family devotions. To this end, RPCO takes special care to teach families the ordinance of prayer, godly conferencing, scriptural study & meditation, Psalm Sing, and catechizing.