The Mission of the Church by Wayne E. Ward

Based on Matthew 16: 18-19, This means that what the church is carrying out on earth is the purpose of God which has already been determined in heaven.  The church is doing the work of heaven on earth, according to God's plan.

The Acts of the Apostles is the story of the New Testament church in action.

The church was always a witnessing community.  Its whole reason for existence was to declare the marvelous story of redemption in Jesus Christ; to receive those who responded to their word, baptize them, and continue with them in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.

Wayne E. Ward was professor of Christian theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1951 to 1991.  The above is a direct quote from his book "The Drama of Redemption," written in 1966 on pages 114 and 116.