“And John bore witness, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.’” John 1:32-34
When Jesus was baptized, John saw the Holy Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain on Jesus. And God had told John, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” John baptized with water and pointed people to Messiah Jesus, the Son of God. When we, according to Jesus’ word and command (Matt. 28:19), are baptized with water, Christ Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and washes away our sins in His shed blood (cf. Acts 2:38-39).
Dear Lord Jesus, Son of God, we thank You for washing away our sins in Your shed blood and raising us from spiritual darkness and death to new life in You through the gracious working of the Holy Spirit in our baptism. Amen.
[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]