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Three times MarkBsnr, three times, not once. One-time immersion is invalid baptism.

Where are we instructed that only an immersion 3 times is valid? While it is a useful tradition, in that it instructs and adds gravitas to the ceremony, I do not see any scriptural support for this, or evidence that this was the practice in the early church.

Is baptism a 'magical' act that requires exact invocation of a rigid formula, or is the spirit and truth behind the act more important?

I'm always open to new knowledge (that is Godly) though, so if I am misinformed, please let me know.

Where are we instructed that only an immersion 3 times is valid? While it is a useful tradition, in that it instructs and adds gravitas to the ceremony, I do not see any scriptural support for this, or evidence that this was the practice in the early church

You won't find word "agape" in the Bible either (except in Greek). Triple immersion was a Trinitarian formula from the very beginnings of the Church, taking the Great Commission literally.

"By three immersions, therefore, and by three invocations we administer the important ceremony of baptism...and that the souls of the baptized may be purified by divine knowledge." (Basil, Bishop of Caesarea )
"You were conducted to a bath just as Christ was carried to the grave and were thrice immersed to signify the three days of His burial." (Clement of Alexandria)
"The true doctrine of our holy mother, the catholic church has always, my brethren, been with us, and does yet abide with us, and especially the article of baptism and the three immersions." (Monulus at the Council of Carthage)
"You were led to the holy pool of divine baptism as Christ was carried from the cross to the sepulcher and each of you were asked whether you believed and made that saving confession and descended three times into the water and ascended again and that water of baptism was a grave to you." (Cyril of Jerusalem)
"Christ delivered to his disciples one baptism in three immersions." (Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople)
"Concerning baptism, baptize in this manner: Having said all these things beforehand, baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in living water [that is, in running water, as in a river]. If there is no living water, baptize in other water; and, if you are not able to use cold water, use warm. If you have neither, pour water three times upon the head in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." (Didache, Chapter 7, c. 70 AD)
[I]mmerse three times "thrice immersed" (Tertullian, The crown or De Corona, ch 3-4)

"[D]ipping the head three times in the layer" (Jerome, Dialogue Against the Luciferians, 8)

The Eastern Orthodox Church, unlike western churches, does everything in the name of Holy Trinity. It interprets the Great Commission to read "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost" as baptizing in the name of all three God-persons individually.