What is baptism? It is the initiatory sacrament, which enters us into covenant with God. It was instituted by Christ, who alone has power to institute a proper sacrament, a sign, seal, pledge, and means of grace, perpetually obligatory on all Christxans….The matter of this sacrament is water; which as it has a natural power of cleansing, is the more fit for this symbolical use. Baptism is formed by washing, dipping, or sprinkling the person, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who is hereby devoted to the ever-blessed trinity. I say, by washing, dipping or sprinkling; because it is not determined in Scripture in which of these ways it shall be done, neither by any express precept, not by any such example as clearly proves it….By baptism we enter into covenant with God…By Baptism we are admitted into the Church, and consequently made members of Christ, its head. The Jews were admitted to fellowship by circumcision, so are the Christians by Baptism. We read in Galatians 3:27, ‘As many as are baptized into Christ,” (in His name) “have thereby, put on Christ”
John Wesley
Saints & Idiots 
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