The life of "The Brethren," after baptism, is also described with much distinctness, in a few words which seem to have been recorded once for all of the first converts, in formal terms which should be applicable to all others: "They continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts ii. 42). And the four particulars thus stated seem to include all the duties of the Christian life. Their stedfast attention to "The Apostles' doctrine" implies that they accepted their testimony as the truth necessary for salvation. Their holding to "the fellowship" or communion, implies their unity with the Apostles, and with one another. Their continual observance of "The breaking of bread" implies the high position at once given to the ordinance of the Holy Communion, instituted by the Lord Himself as the bond of the New Covenant, in place of the sacrifices of the blood of beasts under the Old Covenant. And their habitual joining in "The prayers," implies that the assembling of Christians for common worship was practised from the first. Such was the life of the first subjects of "The Kingdom of Heaven." And this record of it in Holy Scripture sets it forth as the pattern for all future generations. It is true that the infant Church was not perfect, and, had it been so, it would not have corresponded with the description which our Lord had given of it in His Parables; but the leaven was at work upon the hearts of the believers, and the result was manifest in their lives.