Concerning Bapism

The early church had books of instruction in righteousness and practice as well as certain NT manuscripts available to them., on of these "books" was the Didache...
Concerning Baptism
Now concerning baptism, baptize as follows: after you have reviewed all these things, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in running water. But if you have no running water, then baptize in some other water; and if you are not able to baptize in cold water, then do so in warm. But if you have neither, then pour water on the head three times in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit. And before the baptism let the one baptizing and one who is to be baptized fast, as well as any other who are able. Also, you must instruct the one who is to be baptized to fast for one or two days beforehand.
from the Didache 7.1-7.4

for more on the didache
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didache