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About the church

Simply Christians
We are simply Christians, without denominational names and practices. We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and we try to follow it as our only authority in religion. Since we find no denominational names in the Bible, we wear no such names. We have no human creeds to set forth doctrine because the Bible contains all the Christian is to believe (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Authority Of Christ
We accept Jesus Christ as Lord and respect His authority. Jesus said, "And why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). Adding to, or taking from, the simple instruction of Jesus is to fail to honor Him as Lord. We have no conferences, councils, nor earthly headquarters because Christ has not authorized these. Also, such man-made systems only serve to compete with Christ's authority and often bind human traditions upon others, which Jesus condemned (Matthew 15:3-9).

The Gospel is For All
We proclaim the message of the crucified and risen Lord. We urge all to accept God's gift of eternal life in His Son (Romans 6:23). God's plan for salvation involves...

• Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21)
• Confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:10)
• Being baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
• Followed by a life of faithful service to Christ (Revelation 2:10)

We understand that in order for our faith to be pleasing to God we must trust Him to the extent of obeying Him (Hebrews 5:9). It is through such faith that we become God's children.

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27)

Baptism
Baptism, as an expression of obedient faith, is the culminating act by which God places one in a proper relationship with Jesus Christ. We would be happy to study the Bible with you concerning the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ and how one should respond to it.

The Nature Of The Church
All who are in fellowship with Christ are members of His spiritual body, the church universal (1 Corinthians 12:12; Colossians 1:18). The universal church is a spiritual body, with Jesus as its head and saved people throughout the world as members of His body (Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 2:47). As such, the universal church has no earthly or physical organization.

Wherever Christians extend fellowship to each other in worship and work, we find a congregation or local church. In the Bible we read about churches in Jerusalem, Rome, and other places. These were not different kinds of churches (as is so prevalent today), but congregations of Christians in various places.
These congregations were independent and self-governing, each having a plurality of elders (also known as bishops and pastors) watching out for their souls (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Assisting the elders were deacons who ministered to the needs of the congregation (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). The members were dedicated to following the example of the Lord in their daily lives (Ephesians 5:1-2).
The church at Ventura seeks to be such a congregation of Christians,
a church of Christ in our community.

Reference