Credo: I believe, So what?

Introduction to 17 separate entries on the Apostle's Creed (So called) 


I BELIEVE

I firmly believe that when anyone declares that they believe something, no matter in what field that may be, anyone hearing it should be able to ask of them "So what"? Meaning that a belief, or a declared belief is only of value when it carries with it consequences of behaviour or attitude that would be different if the belief were different. But that does not mean that 2 persons of quite differing beliefs could not DO the same thing, nor that 2 persons with the same belief WOULD do the same thing. But it might mean that I, with a differing belief would do things differently. So I want to take a Creed that I have professed is MY creed and look at it line by line or phrase by phrase, asking myself "So what?". So what should that mean in my attitude? What should it mean in my behaviour? And what should it mean as far as what others expect of me?

Whether I begin with the historic and orthodox Christian Creed which begins with "I believe in God the Father", or just a statement of observation, such as "I believe it will reach 20 degrees today", I will have set expectations for whatever is to follow. 
Of necessity the phrase "I believe" does two or three things. The word "Creed" comes from "credo" which means "I believe", and "I believe" immediately sets the boundaries and responsibilities. I am confessing that quite apart from anyone else, that which follows expresses my position and as such it is I, and I alone, that have to answer for behaviour or attitude that is either consistent or inconsistent with that declaration.
(I strongly disagree with a church changing the creed to say "WE believe". By its very nature, for the Creed to have meaning it must be First Person Singular!)
Secondly, I am stating that this is a "belief" and whether what follows is true or false, I have come to the conclusion, perhaps by a multitude of influences, to rest in the conviction that it is true, and will serve my purposes until some other information, or circumstances show it to be false or needing an amendment. 
AND BY DECLARING, TO AN INDIVIDUAL, OR THE WORLD, THAT THIS IS MY BELIEF, I AM INVITING A DEGREE OF SCRUTINY, AND RESPONSE, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, THAT IF I AM NOT PREPARED TO DEFEND WHAT FOLLOWS, I SHOULD HAVE KEPT SILENT. (Of course when my actions say so loudly what I believe, it is hard to "hide" my creed no matter how few words are used.)
THIS THEN IS THE PATH I AM ABOUT TO STRIKE OUT ON OVER THE NEXT 16 ENTRIES AND TO WHICH I WILL INVITE THE MOST VIGOROUS OF COMMENT, DEBATE, CHALLENGE OR WHATEVER... WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THROWING DOWN THE GAUNTLET TO KNOW WHAT THE RESPONDENT BELIEVES AND HOW THE SAME OR DIFFERENT CREED MAY OR MAY NOT RESULT IN SIMILAR OR DISSIMILAR ACTS (OR ATTITUDES.)

So that we have lots of space to comment I am going to post separate entries under the following headings: (I will try to post them all quite quickly although it would be good if we could take them in order, but some may want to jump ahead or get an overview of where I am heading. (No point in belabouring a point at the beginning if it comes up in detail later on.) 

Creedo: in God (part 1)
Creedo: in God (part 2)
Creedo: the Father
Creedo: [The Father[ Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
Creedo: Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, 
Creedo: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary,
Creedo: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried;
Creedo: He descended into hell
Creedo: The third day he rose again from the dead;
Creedo: He ascended into heaven, And sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
Creedo: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
Creedo: In the Holy Spirit;
Creedo: The holy Catholic Church;
Creedo: THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
Creedo: THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
Creedo: THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING