The verb βαπτίζειν is used by profane authors in a number of different senses: (1) The dipping of an object into water or any other fluid for any purpose whatever; (2) the immersion or sinking of an object; (3) the covering over of any object by the flowing or pouring of a fluid on it, and so, metaphorically (in the passive) being overwhelmed or oppressed; (4) the washing or wetting of an object, whether by aspersion or immersion. Turning to the sacred writings, we find the word used in the Septuagint four times (4 Kings 5:14; Isa. 21:4; Judith 12:7; Ecclus. 34:26). In three of these it means to bathe or wash. The passage of Isaias is metaphorical, as in the third usage above-mentioned. Both the noun (βάπτισμα, βαπτισμὸς) and the verb occur frequently in the New Testament, and are used sometimes in the sense of washing (Mark 7:3, 4, 8; Luke 11:38), sometimes metaphorically (Mark 10:38, 39; Luke 12:50), but especially to designate a rite by which men are spiritually cleansed. The baptism of St. John was not able of itself (ex opere operato) to wash away sin. Like the sacraments of the Old Law, it signified the grace which was conferred by the dispositions of the minister or recipient. Hence St. Paul (Acts 19:5) re-baptized those who had received John’s baptism. The sacred rite which we are here concerned with is the sacrament properly so called, instituted by Christ for the remission of sin.