The essentials of initiation were similar instruction, baptism, some sign of the Holy Spirit, and first communion. But the time sequence, the ministers of the portions, the types and number of accompanying ceremonies(anointings, footwashings, adhesion), differed according to what church one was in. And interpretations of these various acts differed even more. Local traditions were carried by missionaries as they won new areas for Christianity Variety and unity remained close companions in Christian initiation