Matthew 3:16

He was baptized. The baptism took place in the river Jordan, and was certainly by immersion. Dr. Whitby of the Church of England said: "The observation of (conclusion reached by) the Greek Church is this, that he who ascended out of the water must first descend into it. Baptism is therefore to be performed, not by sprinkling, but by washing the body." Dr. Schaff wrote: "While the validity of baptism does not depend on the quantity or quality of water, or the mode of its application, yet immersion and emersion [emergence] is the primitive and expressive mode to symbolize the idea of entire spiritual purification and renovation." Dr. Schaff also says: "The Greek word baptize' as derived from a root that means to dip,' to immerse.'" All the great scholars agree with these views. Jesus came up out of the water. Luke 3:21 tells us he was praying as he came up. Then heaven was opened. The skies parted, to reveal the very throne of God. The Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit comes to anoint Jesus [Christ means anointed], to identify him (John 1:32-34) and to give him power (John 3:34). The form of a dove was used to make the Spirit visible.