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I didn't answer your first question because it was an exercise in redundancy. Baptism is not called in the scriptures a work any more than it is called a command because to do so would imply that any one who reads these writings must be too dense to realize that for themselves. Your statement that baptism is an act of obedience, well so were the other works that were referred to in Ephesians 2;8-9. Preaching, and missions were commanded, so doing them is obedience, does that make them any less work? no it doesn't your definition of work has a place in the scientific world, but there are other applications for the word. not everyone who earns a wage does physical labor. Some sit behind a computer all day, while some watch others work all day, does that make their job any less work? No I hold in this application to my original definition.

To answer your second question, the scriptures do not call it a sign either, that was my personal application. Baptism is as you said obedience, we do it because God says to do it. But why are we commanded to do it? When I was baptized it was not only an opportunity to follow in obedience, but also my first opportunity to declare to the world on a public platform that I had accepted Gods grace, and decided to follow his commands. So for me it was a sign to the world, one clear and concise.

As far as putting the cart before the horse, I think not. I would have chosen a different analogy, because I do not desire to put Christ in the place of a horse, but in your analogy he would be the horse, the cart being salvation and inside the cart of salvation me and all the physical acts that come along with salvation. Among those acts are baptism, preaching the gospel, reading his word, prayer, along side of the nonphysical described as the fruits of the spirit. The things I do not to attain favor with God, but because of the favor he has given that I could do nothing to deserve.

" didn't answer your first question because......."

Well, we will just have to disagree on this one. I was baptized unto the remission of sins according to scripture. (Acts 2:38,22:16, etc. Amer. Std.) As you say, you were baptized as a sign to others according to....? I assume that you believe that your sins were remitted when you....? And, you know that I didn't liken Christ to a horse. That suggestion is beneath you. You put the remission of sins before baptism. And, that is the analogy. Regards.