Jesus - Leader in Baptism

Jesus leads his church by submitting to baptism as he begins to identify with his people's sins. As he is baptized the Spirit descends to empower him for his ministry (we, too, need the Spirit's power). The Father declares his love and pleasure in his Son; so he does for us as we come to faith in Christ and are joined in union with him by the Spirit's work. Jesus was circumcised according to the law on the 8th day of his life, but he did not submit to baptism by immersion until he consciously submitted to it at age 30. He is thus our leader and model for our belief that NT baptism by immersion is only to be administered to those who voluntarily come to Christ in saving faith (a thing impossible for infants to do). Through this incident at the Jordan River we also see an indication that the one God is triune in persons for the Son was baptized, the Spirit descended on him, and the Father spoke his word of approval from heaven.