John the Baptist was a Nazarite, set apart from birth in the order of Samson, Samuel, and the Recabites. Nazarites took a vow to never take fermented drink or eat anything that comes from the grapevine. They will never use a razor on the head.

John preached “baptism and repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John’s theme was repentance. He was appointed by God to announce the arrival of Jesus. He had no trouble confronting people and was uncompromising in his teaching. He had no power of position yet he spoke with authority and had many followers.

John the Baptist was so called because he baptized in water (not spirit) those who repented. Normally only non-Jews were baptized when they converted to Judaism. The Essenes, a strict monastic sect of Judaism practiced baptism by water for purification.

“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”
John was calling people away from ritual and legalism to focus directly on Jesus.

When Jesus was baptized, the complete trinity was represented. God, the Son in the bodily form of Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and God, the Father in the voice from heaven.

Must a person be baptized to be saved? What does baptism mean? To baptize means to immerse or to overwhelm. It doesn't always have anything to do with water.

The Jews baptized as a cleansing ceremony. The very fact that Jesus was baptized is reason to believe that baptism is symbolic. Did Jesus have any need to be baptized?

There are other verses that give us reason to believe that baptism is symbolic.

Upon seeing Jesus, John says the following.
Mat 3:11
I am baptizing you with water as a token of repentance, but the one who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John clearly states that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Jesus' baptism has nothing to do with water.

Jesus spoke of other things regarding baptism.
Luk 12:50
I have a baptism to be baptized with, and what stress I am under until it is completed!
Jesus was speaking of the crucifixion that He must undergo. He is saying that He must be overwhelmed in the task at hand, figuratively to immerse Himself in the crucifixion and death.

As believers we must be immersed in the Holy Spirit. That is the baptism that saves!