Understanding the Presentation and Preservation of God's Word
Parenthood as Taught in the Word of God
God's Workings in Christian's Lives
Constitution And By-Laws
Article II- Doctrinal Statement
I. Verbal Inspiration of the Scriptures
II. Genesis Account of Creation
VI. Substitutionary death of Christ
VII. Salvation by grace through faith
XII. Rapture and the Second Coming
XIII. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Section 3.Membership by Letter
Section 4.Membership by Statement of Faith
Article VIII-Church Organizations and Subsidiary Organizations
For the preservation and security of the principles of our faith and to the end that this body governed in an orderly manner, consistent with the Authorized King James 1611 Version of the Bible, believing Baptist and Baptist Church rules. And for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this church and the freedom of action of this body with respect to its relation to other churches of like faith, we do declare this constitution.
Article I - Name and Purpose
Section 1. This church shall be know as Ocala Baptist Temple, located at 1484 Northwest 42nd Place, Ocala, Florida, in the county of Marion.
Section 2. This church shall be incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida. Papers shall be filed to insure continuance of corporation.
Section 3. The legal title to the property of this church shall be vested in the corporation, Ocala Baptist Temple.
Section 4. Ocala Baptist Temple, as long as it exists, shall remain an Independent Baptist Church, free of any organized religious movement, conventions, fellowships, associations, etc.
A. To glorify God in the salvation of souls through the preaching of the crucified, glorified, and coming Saviour, Jesus Christ.
B. To promote by every possible scriptural means, the worldwide proclamation of the glorious and saving gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
C. To maintain regular services for the promotion of prayer, worship and Bible study.
D. To provide a haven of fellowship for all who have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
E. To instruct its members in the goings of God, thus contributing to their spiritual edification and thus encouraging them in Holy living.
F. To observe and administer the ordinances of the Lord's Supper and Baptism.
G. To contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints and to defend it vigorously against every onslaught of the enemy. II Corinthians 6:14-17; II Peter 2, II John vs. 7-11; and Jude vs. 3,4.
H. Not to engage in any activity or business of any kind for profit. In order to maintain a state of tax exemption with the State of Florida, and also the Federal Government, this church shall strive to maintain its not-for-profit status.
I. Should Ocala Baptist Temple, located at 1484 Northwest 42nd Place, Ocala, Florida, 34475 in the County of Marion be dissolved for whatsoever reason , all properties and contents shall be sold and Moines distributed to missionaries out under the local church already supported by Ocala Baptist Temple.
Article II- Doctrinal Statement
I. Verbal Inspiration of the Scriptures
We believe in the infallible, inspired Word of God. We accept the Textus Receptus manuscript as the foundational material from which we derive the King James Version 1611. The Old and New Testament scriptures were written by human authors divinely inspired and edited by the Holy Spirit, preserved, unbroken and passed down to us today. II Timothy 3:16 Psalms 119:89 II Peter 1:20,21 Psalm 12:6,7
II. Genesis Account of Creation
We believe the Genesis account of creation, and that what you believe about your origin will determine your philosophy of life. We believe that creation was a direct act of God, with literal 24 hour days, instantaneous and miraculous. We believe man was created in the image of God and all reproduction was " after their kind". Genesis 1:1 Colossians 1:16,17 Job 26:7 Psalms 33:6-9 John 1:16,16
We believe God is a person, existing eternally. He is One true God but in the unity of the Godhead. There are three eternal and co-equal persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - all the same in substance but distinct in subsistence. It is one godhead made up of three persons who are the same in attributes, power, characteristics, and desires. Hebrews 1:8 Acts 5:1-3 Matthew 28:19 I Corinthians 8:6 Colossians 2:9 Matthew 3:16,17
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God because of His character, His miracles, His influence, and His power to forgive sins and to set people free from Satan. Jesus Christ was God in the flesh because He claimed to be, died making this claim, and arose victorious over death and Hell Matthew 25:63,66 John 14:9 John 1:1 John 10:3
V. Virgin Birth
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost and in miraculous manner. He was born of Mary, a virgin, as no other person has ever been born or ever will be born of woman. He is both the Son of God and God the Son. Matthew 1:20 Luke 1:30-35 Isaiah 7:14
VI. Substitutionary death of Christ
Jesus took the sinner's place, bore his sins, met the penalty through a substitutionary death for all men. Jesus satisfied the law, becoming our accepted substitute. His righteousness and right-doing is imputed to us by faith and so we, through Him, have kept the law to satisfy God's demand for punishment of sin. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses man from sin instead of merely covering man's sin. Isaiah 53:5 II Corinthians 5:21 I Peter 3:18
VII. Salvation by grace through faith
The sacrifice made by Jesus is the only basis of salvation, the only means of reconciliation, and the only grounds for justification. We hold and believe many important truths, the most important being the individual's salvation of his own soul. God's order is salvation first, then works. Acts 4:12 Romans 10:9-13 Ephesians 2:8-10 Titus 3:5-8
VIII.Heaven and Hell
We believe that Heaven and Hell are real, literally physical places. Heaven is a place of indescribable beauty and glory while Hell is a place of indescribable torment and punishment and eternal separation from God. So throughout all of eternity Heaven is the final dwelling place of the saved, and Hell is the place of eternal punishment for the lost with total separation from God. Matthew 6:20 Luke 10:20 John 14:2 Matthew 25:46 Luke 16 II Peter 2:4 Revelation 20:14,15
Man is wicked, corrupt, and under sin. We believe that man was created in the image of God, but fell through sin, bringing not only physical death to mankind but also spiritual death and separation from God. Now all mankind is totally depraved, having inherited the sinful nature through the blood, bent towards sin, and has become sinful in thought, word, and deed. Romans 3:10,23 Romans 5:12 Romans 6:23 Psalms 14:3 Genesis 3:6-19 Ecclesiastes 7:20
X. Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son; that He was active in the creation; that He convicts, seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. Therefore, these ministries of the Holy Spirit happen instantaneously to the believing sinner at salvation. We believe the gift of speaking in tongues and divine healing were for the New Testament age and ceased with the completion of the New Testament. I Corinthians 14:33 John 14:16,17 Acts 1:8 Matthew 28:19 Romans 8 John 15:26,27
XI. Separation from the world
We believe that all the saved are called into a life of separation from all worldly and sinful practices. A person, once he has truly accepted Christ as Saviour, is a new creation in Christ and should live a holy, consecrated life. He should separate himself from the world and its lust in obedience to the command of God. Romans 12:1-2 I John 2:15-17 II Corinthians 6:14-18 I Peter 2:9 II Corinthians 5:17 II Timothy 2:19
XII. Rapture and the Second Coming
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is coming in the air at any moment to catch up those that have received Him. Those saved of all the ages will stand at the judgment seat of Christ, followed by the marriage supper of the Lamb. We believe in the personal, bodily, visible, pre-millennial return (second coming) of Christ. Those who are left behind will go through a period call the Great Tribulation, after which Christ Himself shall return to the earth visibly to set up His kingdom of one thousand years of righteous rule. After this the unbelievers of all ages will stand at the Great White Throne to be judged and cast in to the Lake of Fire, separated from the presence of God forever. The believers will spend eternity in the fullness of joy in Heaven with the Lord Jesus. Acts 1:11 I Thessalonians 4:16-18 Revelation 19:11 and 20:5 Matthew 24:42
XIII. Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe there are two ordinances of the local church, baptism and the Lord's Supper. Scriptural baptism is immersion of the believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It administered by the authority of the New Testament church and is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is a memorial ordinance of the local church members. The members of this local church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine (grape juice), are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ. This is a local church ordinance.
XIV. Devil or Satan
We believe in the personality of Satan; that he is the god of this world, blinding "the minds of them which believe not" and is the author of all the power of darkness. We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and an ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels. Satan is the author of all false religions, of apostasy, and the author of the powers of darkness. However, he is destined to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son and to the judgment of an eternity in Hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. Matthew 4:1-3 Revelation 20:1-3 II.Corinthians 4:3,4 Revelation 20:10 Isaiah 14:12-15 I Peter 5:8
We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that He arose bodily the third day according to the scriptures from the tomb and ascended into Heaven. Through His resurrection a sure hope of immortality and everlasting life is given to all who have been saved by His grace. He is at the right hand of god as our "..mediator, merciful and faithful High Priest, and advocate." John 20 I Corinthians 15:12-28 Luke 24:1-7 Hebrews 9:24
XVI. Eternal Security
We believe in the eternal security of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. When a person is born again, they have everlasting life which cannot be taken away from them. God's children are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation and sealed unto the day of redemption. John 10:27-30 I Peter 1:5 Ephesians 4:30 Romans 8:35-30 John 5:24 Phillipians 1:16
XVII.Soul-winning and Missions
We believe that the Great Commission to evangelize the world was given to the church by our risen Lord and that this evangelization is the mission of the church. The Great Commission was given to the local church which was commanded to "..go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Christ commanded His church to "..teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." Matthew 28:19,20 Mark 16:15 John 20:21 Acts 1:8
We believe that sanctification is a personal separation from the things that are unclean to things that are holy, clean, and sacred; that this is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration; that it is carried on in the hearts of the believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The sanctification of the believer will be complete at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and then, and only then, will we be sanctified wholly- in body, soul, and spirit. I Thessalonians 5:23 I Thessalonians 4:1-10 I Corinthians 6:11 II Peter 3:18 II Corinthians 3:18 II Thess.2:13 Romans 8:5
XIX. Local church
We believe that a scriptural church is a visible assembly of baptized believers, covenanted together under New Testament law for the purpose of carrying out the Great Commission with an unbroken history from the personal ministry of Jesus on earth to this present day; that this church is a self-governing, independent body having Christ as the head, the Holy Spirit as its guide and the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice. (Note: the Authorized King James Version 1611. The only scriptural offices of the church are the bishop (pastor) and the deacons. The two ordinances of the local church are baptism and the Lord's Supper. On all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, benevolence, etc. the will of the local church is final. Mark 16:15 Ephesians 1:22,23 I Timothy 3 Titus 1 Acts 20:17-20 Ephesians 3:21
XX. Human Sexuality
We believe that God has Commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of the marriage of a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography is a sinful perversion of God's gift of sex. Genesis 2:24;19:5;13;26:8,9 Leviticus 18:1-30 Romans 1:26-29 I Corinthians 5:1;6:9 I Thessalonians 4:1-8 Hebrews 13:4
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life; it is premeditated murder. We reject any teaching that abortion of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother is acceptable. **Job 3:16 Psalms 51:5;139:14-16 Isaiah 44:24;49:1 Jeremiah 1:5 Jeremiah 20:15-18 Luke 1:44
** As of this printing the controversial subject of cloning of human life has not been dealt with scriptural, but future legislation will dictate just what stand the local church must and will take.
The Practice of Human Cloning
Be it resolved that Ocala Baptist Temple, stands against Human Cloning. It is a science falsely so called.
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
Furthermore. cloning is an abomination in the sight of God. as well as an abominable work.
Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Therefore, no member of the church shall participate, endorse or otherwise be involved in this abominable activity.
XXIII. Lawsuits between believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve any personal disputes between its members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from anther's insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. I Corinthians 6:1-8 Ephesians 4:31,32
Article III - Membership
Section 1.Introdution: Any person desiring to be a member of this church and meeting the qualifications contained in the follow sections of this Article may be admitted to membership in the manner provided in the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 2.Membership: Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and declaring it as his purpose to follow Him as His disciple, and identifies with Him in believer's baptism, may, by affirmation of the congregation at large in any church meeting, be received into full membership of this church.
Section 3.Membership by Letter: Members of other Baptist churches of like doctrine, who have been baptized according to the New Testament, may, by affirmation of the congregation at large at any of its public services, be received into full membership of the church in good and regular standing upon receipt of letters of dismissal from those churches.
Section 4.Membership by Statement of Faith: Any person who has at some time been a member of a Baptist church of like doctrine, and who has been baptized according to the New Testament, may, upon statement of facts and the vow of his faith and love to Christ, be restored and received to membership by affirmation of the congregation at large of any its public services. Where there is doubt as to spiritual intentions, the candidate shall be questioned by the pastor and recommendation shall be made to the church by the pastor.
Section 5.Dismissal of Members: Any member of our church may be granted a letter of dismissal to unite with some other Baptist church of like faith and order. Any member who unites with any other church without such a letter shall have his name dropped from the church roll. (No letters are to be granted personally to a member) Members who are known to be deceased will be removed from the church membership roll by action of the church.
Section 6.Inactive Members: When a member shall fail to manifest any in the church by his normal church attendance for a period of three months, showing no desire or intention of returning to the church, such member shall automatically become an inactive member. People whose names are inactive are not entitled to vote in any business meeting of the church. Every ember is to familiarize himself with this rule.
Section 7.Delinquent Member: It is our church's responsibility to police its own membership. This is to be done by a quorum of the membership present at a regular business meeting. Any rectum mention is to be made by the pastor or moderator.
Section 8.Member Duties: It shall be the duty of every member to adhere to the standards of the church covenant; to attend faithfully the public services of the church; and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
(Financial Supplement): Because our church depends upon the tithes and offerings of our members, we assert our conviction that proportionate giving is a distinct and positive command of the scriptures. (See Malachi 3:8-11; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:7) It is the duty of every member to share in this responsibility. Any and all designated gifts shall be used as given. The church shall have, however, the discretion in expenditures of all designated gifts in such event gifts are to be spent by vote of the church outside of initial designation.
Section 9.Church Discipline: All discipline shall be for the purpose of reclaiming the individual with expulsion coming only after all other measures have failed. This action is to be taken only after all other efforts of reconciliation have failed. (see Matthew 18:15-17) Discipline should be exercised for the following:
1. Fornication- I Corinthians 5:1-13
2. Disorderly walk and heresy- II Thessalonians 3:6
3. Unchristian conduct- I Corinthians 5:1
4. Covetous- I Corinthians 5:13
5. Idolatry- I Corinthians 5:13
6. Drunkenness- I Corinthians 5:13
7. Extortion - I Corinthians 5:13
8. Railer - I Corinthians 5:13
9. Effeminate- I Corinthians 6:9
10. Abuser with mankind- I Corinthians 6:9
11. Thieves- I Corinthians 6:10
12. Revilers- I Corinthians 6:10
The church body shall act as arbitrator in all matters of discipline.
Article IV-Meetings
Section 1.All meetings shall be subject to approval of the pastor.
Section 2.Church Year, Corporate Meeting: The church year shall run from January 1 through December 31st of each year. Election or re-election of trustees, treasurer and church clerk shall be voted upon at this meeting.
Section 3.Sunday Meetings: The church shall meet regularly every Lord's Day for public worship which would include Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening.
Section 4.Business Meetings: There shall be a monthly business meeting the second Wednesday night. There shall be other business meetings as deemed necessary by the Pastor.
Section 5.Voting: The government of the church shall be vested in the hands of its members and a majority vote of those present and in good standing (quorum) with the church shall be effective to bind the church, except in calling a pastor or in changing the by-laws. In this instance a two-thirds vote of those present and in good standing with the church shall be necessary.
Article V-Officers
Section 1. The officers of the church shall consist of the pastor, deacons, trustees, clerk, and treasurer. Others may be added to assist these officers.
Section 2.The Pastor: The pastor shall be the chief executive officer in the church, moderator of all church meetings and ex-officio head of all departments of church work. His specifics duties shall be to give special attention to the spiritual needs of his members, to preach at the church, to administer the ordinances of the New Testament, to maintain and exert leadership in the progress of church growth, to act as a moderator in all matters for the transaction of business (except where he is personally involved, he may appoint someone else to moderate), to serve as ex-officio member of all committees of the church, to have supervision of the church staff, and to be chairman of the finance committee. In the event the pulpit is vacant for the whatever cause, the church shall in a called meeting appoint a moderator and then select a pulpit committee for the purpose of selecting candidates to fill the pulpit vacancy. The pastor is God's man to lead and to exhort and will be treated with a spirit of trustworthiness and respected as such by the members. The pastor is entrusted with daily governing of the church at large. He is to be looked to as counselor for every phase of the church ministry. He is, in reality, not only pastor and president, but business manager, etc. of the corporation and its affairs. The membership is to sympathize with the many decisions that he must in connection with the daily affairs of the church. It is assumed by all that his decisions are in the best interest of the church and for the exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Upon the death, resignation, or removal of the pastor, the church shall , without unnecessary delay, call to its pastorate a minister of good report (see the pastor application form), provided that notice of such intention to vote on the call shall be given by the pulpit committee publicly from the pulpit at the regular Sunday morning worship service or through the church bulletin on the Sunday immediately preceding the date of the church's vote to call the new pastor. In the permanent absence of a pastor, the chairman of the pulpit committee may call the church into a conference for the purpose of call a new pastor at any Sunday service, providing proper notice has been given on the preceding Sunday. The church's vote to call a new pastor shall be upon recommendation of the pulpit committee and shall be upon at least two-thirds majority vote of those present and voting. The pastor shall be elected to an unlimited tenure of office to be terminated at his own pleasure or the pleasure of the church in accordance with I Corinthians 9:27, I Timothy 5:19-20, and II Thessalonians 3:12-15.
Section 3.Deacons (duties and qualifications of):
1. In Acts 6:1-4 the first servants (deacons) were chosen by the church and were appointed to their tasks by the overseers of the church so that the overseers could be free for prayer and the ministry of the Word. Therefore, since this church accepts the scriptures as the final authority and not tradition, the office deacon shall not in any way be taken to mean or imply authority over the pastor or the church. The duties of the deacons are to be servants to the pastor and the church.
2. The qualifications of deacons are found in Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-13.
3. The deacons are associated with the pastor as servants in administering the ordinances and in recommending financial guidelines to transactions of church property. They shall cooperate with and assist the pastor in the performance of his duties.
Section 4.Trustee: The church members shall elect not less than three trustees. The job of trustee is simply to handle all mortgages as the church directs and to act as legal custodians of the church property. They shall be responsible for routine repairs and replacements to the building and equipment as is needed. Delegation of the power to contract shall be set to vote by the church body and delegated to the trustees.
Section 5.Clerk: The duties of the church clerk shall be to keep a correct record of all proceedings of the regular and special business meetings of the church. He will sign all letters of dismissal of members and cooperate with the church office in keeping of a complete registry of the membership. The clerk shall be elected by the church upon recommendation of the pastor.
Section 6.Treasurer: The treasurer shall maintain all finance records, pay all bills when due, prepare tithing statements, prepare financial reports for monthly business meetings, maintain financial books, and pay missionaries on time.
Section 7.Stipulation of continuance of office: In order to promote a high spiritual standard in the church, all officers and teachers shall be expected to attend the regular services of the church faithfully except when they are providentially hindered and to abide by the church covenant. Failure to do so shall subject them to removal from office.
Article VI- Committees
Section 1.Pulpit committee: In case of death, resignation, or removal of the pastor, a pulpit committee shall be elected by the church to investigate possible pastors and shall make recommendations to the church concerning the call of a pastor. During his ministry, the pastor shall be in charge of the pulpit at all times. The committee shall be authorized by the church to investigate and consider all names of candidates received by them and to invite such candidates to visit the church to determine who is scripturally qualified to meet the needs of the church. After a candidate has been invited to visit the church, in a view of a call, and the pulpit committee desires to consider him as the new pastor, he will be presented to the church to be voted upon before another candidate is considered. The committee shall be responsible for interviewing the candidates while on the field, placing in his hands a copy of this instrument, Articles of Faith, and the Church Covenant.
Article VII- Church Policy
A. It shall be the policy of this church to conduct and maintain its services in harmony with the Word of God using the Authorized King James Version 1611 of scripture.
B. To preach and teach the Bible as the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, ever standing for the fundamentals of the faith and this shall be done using the Authorized King James Version 1611 of scripture.
C. To maintain a world-wide missionary program.
D. To oppose modernism, worldliness, and liberalism.
E. To continue our belief in the complete independence of the local church.
Article VIII-Church Organizations and Subsidiary Organizations
It shall be understood that all organizations of the church are a part of the church and are subject to its jurisdiction. They shall conduct themselves at all times as is becoming the Christian faith and shall be careful not to bring discredit to the body of which they are part. The pastor is ex-officio head of the church and any subsidiary organizations.
Article IX- Amendments
The by-laws of the corporation shall be made, altered or rescinded by a two thirds vote of the members present and in good standing with the church at any regularly called business meeting of the corporation. The church, under the leadership of the pastor, may adopt additional by-laws in harmony here-with at any regular business meeting.
Indemnity clause:
Officers of the corporation shall not be held personally responsible for any liability incurred by the corporation.
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