Christ was baptised in the river Jordan by John the Baptist who had heralded his appearance as the Saviour.
According to the versions of this event in the Gospels (Matthew 3:13 -17; Mark 1: 9-11; Luke 3: 21-22; John 1: 32-34) the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and a heavenly voice declared 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'. 'The Baptism of Christ' by Niccolo di Pietro Gerini is thought to be the earliest surviving example of its isolation as the central narrative of an altarpiece.
Baptism (Christening) is one of the sacraments of the Church. It is the rite of admission to the Church and signifies a spiritual rebirth.
