Although John Wesley lived and died in the Episcopal Church, he founded the large and popular denomination known as the Methodist Church. In 1729, he and his brother, Charles, and a number of others began meeting for religious exercises. These people were students at Oxford University. These "Holy Clubs" wanted to overcome the formalism and ritualism of the Episcopal Church, and to stimulate piety and spirituality among its members. They arranged a daily schedule of duties, setting hours for visiting the sick and in prison, praying aloud three times each day, etc., etc.

The "turning point" in John Wesley's life came May 24, 1738 when at a prayer meeting in London, he learned that it is not by rules and laws nor by our own efforts at self-perfection, but by faith that man enters "upon life and peace."

As other groups began to meet, they became known as Methodists because of their methodical manner of life. When Wesley died, the groups banded together under a conference known as the Methodist Episcopal Church. The bands at first were known simply as "Societies" following the General Rules drawn up by Wesley.

In 1784, Wesley took a step that formally put him out of the Church of England. When he was called upon to send ministers to America, he asked the Bishop of London to ordain several of his lay-preachers. The Bishop refused, so Wesley took the matter into his own hands and ordained two himself to preside over affairs in America including a Dr. Coke . . . whom he named Superintendent. Wesley died in 1791.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States had its beginning when the Christian Conference convened in Baltimore on December 24, 1784. At this conference, the Book of Discipline prepared by Wesley was adopted which cut the 39 Articles of the Episcopal Church down to 24 Articles, then added one to cover the church rulers in the United States. The Apostles' Creed (inherited by the Episcopal Church from the Catholic Church) was also brought into the Methodist form of worship.

Two notable divisions occurred. In 1828, a group separated becoming known as the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1844 there was another division having to do with slavery and with the powers of the General Conference. In 1939, three main divisions united to form the Methodist Church: (1) The Methodist Episcopal Church, (2) The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and(3) The Methodist Protestant Church.

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

On baptism they say "The baptism of Infants" is justified on basis Jesus said "Suffer the children to come unto me." Discipline, article, 1910, p. 470-4.

But what does God's Word say? Mark 16:16 tells us those who believe FIRST...and then Acts 2 tells us to repent? How can a baby believe and then what would the baby repent of...what sins??

But there are two main points...

1. Baptism is not the subject Jesus was teaching on this occasion . . . not mentioned in this entire chapter, nor in the chapter before or after.

2. Infants were never baptized in all Bible history.

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15