Why are baptism and the Lord's table important for Christians?

Baptism and the Lord's table hold significant importance for Christians as outward acts of faith commanded by Christ. Baptism serves as the initial public declaration of faith in Christ and is to be performed first before partaking in the Lord's table. The act of baptism symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. The Lord's table, taken regularly, serves as a profound memorial of Christ's sacrifice, reminding us that it is His body and blood that provide our righteousness before God. These ordinances are not means to salvation; instead, they are expressions of obedience and affirmations of the grace already received through Christ. They emphasize our need for Christ and the reality of our salvation.