It is very important to know what we mean when we say "I believe". Especially when we say, "I believe in God." How does that differ from the heathen viewpoint or the viewpoint of other faiths? What do they mean when they say, "We believe in God"? How does that differ from our declaration? It is vital to know WHAT we believe and why we believe it so that we are not left at the mercy of cults and human philosophy. It is not enough just to declare, "I believe in God" and then to be selective about WHAT we believe. We have to believe the whole counsel of God as revealed in the Holy Bible. "There is only one God, brethren, and we learn about Him only from sacred Scriptures. It is, therefore, our duty to become acquainted with what Scripture proclaims and to investigate it's teaching thoroughly. The Early Church believed this and penned a brief statement of faith called "THE APOSTLES' CREED" during the 6th Century AD. It is an excellent summary of the Christian faith based on the scriptures in a series of twelve short statements of faith. Its purpose is to ground believers in their faith. Written statements of faith became necessary in the early days of the church because of the rise of heresies as people made an attempt to "explain" God. Baptism candidates were asked to accept the simple rule of faith as their personal confession. These creeds are not a formula, but a confession of faith declared as an expression of faith in an act of commitment to God and the surrender of the will and mind to Biblical doctrine. God is not looking for "feathery" Christians, blown about by every wind of doctrine", at the mercy of men and their philosophies. He requires that we be firmly anchored in Christ. Our faith is firmly based on a solid, well-laid foundation - The Word of God. Christians are required to read the Bible, think about and meditate on its great truths and apply them in our lives. A firm, unshakeable faith will be the result, causing us to become PILLARS in the Temple of our God. A tree that is constantly being replanted never thrives. "He can no more grow in Godliness, who is unsettled, than a bone can grow in a body out of joint" - Matthew Henry. The Bible is our anchor, our lamp, and powerful armor to protect us against the deceitful doctrines of demons. It tells us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about God. It is essential that we believe the record because God will only accept worship that is in accord with His Will and Word. Read the story of David and the Ark in 2 Samuel 6:6,7 (compare 1 Chronicles 13:9,10). God said: "Do not touch the Ark". It seemed like the right thing to do in the circumstances, but it was not acceptable to God. We have to believe what God says about Himself and about His Will. We do not have to understand, only believe and obey. The Apostles' Creed was written to ground Christians in their faith An Early Church statement of faith is based on Peter's confession recorded in Matthew 16:16 "Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Specifically written to ground believers in their faith, it reads as follows: 1.I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth. 2.And in Jesus Christ His only (begotten) Son our Lord; 3.Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; 4.Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; 5.The third day He rose from the dead; 6.He ascended into heaven; and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; 7.From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead; 8.I believe in the Holy Ghost; 9.The holy catholic (universal) church; the communion of saints; 10.The forgiveness of sins; 11.The resurrection of the body (flesh); 12.And the life everlasting.