From the opening statement "I believe" the Creed passes immediately to what is believed - "in God..." We might be tempted to pass this statement quickly by as being a given.
Certainly this is a fundamental starting point even in the view of scripture: Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
But here is an instance where the Apostle's Creed is so very pertinent to our modern situation as Christians in society.
In an introductory post I took note of two powerful influences opposing the Church in our culture - 1) the absolute monotheism of Islam and the cults which deny the deity of Christ; and 2) the nebulous theism of the pop-religion of our culture (your "higher power", etc.).
But there's a third influence in opposition to Christian belief today - the secular outlook of scientific naturalism - the idea that there is nothing but matter (no spirit, no soul, no God, etc.). In this view science, governed by evolutionary assumptions, is the only path to knowledge.
This is one of the most widespread belief systems in the modern world: in the free industrialized west of Europe and America but also in communist countries like the former USSR, China, and their various satellites.
While belief in God may still be found in our nations pledge of allegiance, on ur money, and elsewhere - it is no longer a dominant influence on our culture. At best it is a reminder of our past, hearkening back to a bygone era. Secularism is the dominant outlook in our politcs, our public schooling, in our arts and entertainment.
In light of this it is not insignificant for Christians to state at the outset "I believe in God..." To do so separates us from multitudes and has us standing against the mighty current of secularism.
