There are anticipatory references to baptism in the Old Testament. Prophet Zecharia has foretold about the washing of the house of David and the people of Jerusalem clean from their sins and all impurities with the fountain that shall be opened: "On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity" (Zech. 13:1). The words from Ezekiel, "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be cleansed from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you" (36:25), also refer to the purifying waters of the New Testament.

The people of the Qumran community, who lived before Christ, had understood the importance of the purifying waters. It is said that John the Baptist was associated with this community. John was giving baptism and through it preparing the people for conversion. Was he not the forerunner of Jesus? But the baptism given by Jesus was the baptism of the Holy Spirit and of fire (Lk. 3:16).

Through the baptism given by John the Baptist, there was a spiritual renewal given to the people. By receiving baptism at the hands of John, Jesus is acknowledging this truth. Jesus’ baptism shows that there was meaning in the mandate John was fulfilling and that it was beneficial for salvation according to God’s will. Through his baptism Jesus is establishing the fact that there is a connection between the mandate of Jesus and that of John. John’s mission and mandate were in preparation for that of Jesus. Jesus is acknowledging the means that John used to prepare for the proclamation of the kingdom of God. Jesus is not receiving baptism as a sign of repentance or conversion. Rather it is to show that he is ready for his public life. Another reason for his baptism is to identify himself with the people of God stained with sin. As if in reparation for their sins, he receives baptism along with them and for them(vicarious baptism) and thus prepares himself for the proclamation of the kingdom of God. As an example for the people, as a leader guiding them to the kingdom of God, Jesus has to receive baptism. The words, "Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Is. 53:11-12) of Isaiah are being fulfilled here. We need to see a symbolical meaning in the baptism of Jesus. The baptism Jesus received along with sinners is a symbol of his life given for the salvation of many. In Lk. 12:50, too, Jesus speaks of the baptism of his passion and death. Through his baptism Jesus fulfils completely the will of his Father (Mt. 3:15) and begins his life's mandate. Thus he becomes the beloved Son of his Father. There is no doubt that Jesus who received baptism fulfils every law of righteousness.

According to the view of the Fathers of the Church, much significance was attached to the mission of Jesus through his baptism before the people. Jesus encouraged the people by his example to receive baptism. The baptism at the Jordan was also a preparation for the baptism of the New Testament which Jesus instituted at the end of his life (Mt. 28:19-20). St. Augustine states that through his baptism Jesus bestowed sacramental value to water. It is true that the Lord received baptism along with the people. But his baptism was an anointing in the Spirit, and not just a washing with water. That was why the Holy Spirit came down on him in the form of a dove. During the baptism the Holy Spirit was installing Jesus as the King of kings who has to establish the kingdom of heaven on this earth.
 
 

Many people wonder why the Holy Spirit came in the form of a dove on Jesus. To find out the reason we need first to examine the Old Testament and Jewish background. In Genesis 1:2 the life giving Spirit is compared to the bird hovering over the water. Jewish rabbis consider this bird as a dove. At the baptism of Jesus, Lord of the new creation, the Holy Spirit, descends in the form of a dove over the water. It was a dove that brought the message of peace to Noah’s ark after the floods (Gen. 8:8). Similarly, as the sign of a new beginning (New Testament) and of salvation, the dove which is the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus (the early Church considered the floods during Noah’s time as a symbol of baptism). Deuteronomy 32:11 compares Yahweh, who stirs the people of God for the new exodus, to a bird, an eagle. The Spirit appears as a dove (bird) during the baptism in order to mark the beginning of the exodus of the new people by Jesus. Very often in the Old Testament the dove is presented as a symbol of the Israelite people (for example, Song of songs 2:14; 5:2;6:9; Hosea 7:11;11:11;Ps 68:14). Hence the Spirit appears as a dove at the beginning of the new Israel.

In the Jewish tradition the dove appears as a symbol of God’s glory. The cloud signifying the glory of God and the dove are connected. The image of the dove was highly beneficial to highlight the movement of the Holy Spirit. The echo of God’s voice in the temple (Bath Qol) was considered to be like the cooing of a dove. The Jews desired the proselytes to come under the wings of God’s glory. The dove was also, for them, the symbol of the Logos and wisdom. In several works of the Jews the Holy Spirit is compared to the dove (eg. Ezra 5:26). When we turn to the ancient religions, we can see that much importance was given to the dove. In Assyria the dove was a royal bird. The ancients considered the dove as a bird of the gods. A dove, therefore, used to be often pictured above the heads of the gods. In many parts of Greece and Asia Minor the dove was revered as a goddess. The centre of this worship was Paphos. For the Syrians and Phoenicians the dove was a divine messenger. Several ancients believed that the human soul was in the form of a dove. Many tombs in countries like Greece, therefore, had the dove engraved on them. Devecots can also be seen in great numbers in those places. The Fathers of the Church have described the souls of martrys flying away in the form of a dove at the moment of their death. The reason for this is that the believers are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says, "Be as innocent as doves" (Mt 10:16). Origen and Cyril of Alexandria call the believers "doves". St Cyril sees the doves offered in the temple at Jesus's purification ( Lk 2:24) as symbol of his death. The ancient Fathers of the Church viewed and cherished the Word made flesh as a dove. That was why the vessels for the Eucharist were made in the form of a dove in the early Church.

The dove is an apt symbol to indicate many of the fruits of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Gal 5:22-23. Virtues like innocence, love, meekness, peace, purity and simplicity are symbolised by the dove. These virtues are the treasure of every Christian baptised in the Spirit. It was when Jesus was praying that the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove (Lk 3:21-22). The soul that dissolves in God through prayer comes into the glory of the dove that is the Spirit.
 
 

The baptism in the name of Jesus does not work like magic or a mantra. Through baptism the Holy Spirit sets his permanent seal on us (Eph 1: 13;4:30; 2 Cor 1:22). This sacrament requires true conversion and new life. The baptism by water indicates the birth in the Spirit (Jn 3:5). This is the washing and the renewal in the Spirit for a new birth (Titus 3:5). Through baptism we receive the call to go from the darkness of sin to the divine light, to rise from sleep and death.

Thus Christian life becomes part of the paschal ministry. What does it mean to say that one has received baptism united to Christ? It means that he has been united to his death (Rom 6:3). Jesus received baptism so that we may put off the old man and put on the new man and that we may die to sin and live for God (Rom 6:6-11).