apostle

[uh-pos-uhl]

noun

1. any of the early followers of Jesus who carried the Christian message into the world.

   Not all of Jesus’ followers named in the New Testament are considered apostles, but Paul, Barnabas, and Mary Magdalene certainly meet the criteria.

2. Sometimes Apostle in the Bible, any of the original 12 disciples called by Jesus to preach the gospel: Simon Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot.

3. the first or the best-known Christian missionary in any region or country.

   St. Patrick and Palladius have both been dubbed “the apostle of Ireland.”

4. Eastern Church.,  one of the 70 disciples of Jesus.

5. the title of the highest ecclesiastical official in certain Protestant sects.

6. one of the 12 administrative officials of the Mormon Church.

7. a pioneer of any new system or cause, especially an early leader in a reform movement.

   He has emerged as an apostle of a new era of peace and national unity.

8. a loyal supporter or follower.

   Our company’s apostles are motivated by the service they can render for the good of the organization.

9. Nautical.,  a knighthead, especially one having its top projecting and used as a bitt or bollard.

apostle

/ əˈpɒsəl /

noun

1. (often capital) one of the 12 disciples chosen by Christ to preach his gospel

2. any prominent Christian missionary, esp one who first converts a nation or people

3. an ardent early supporter of a cause, reform movement, etc

4. Mormon Church a member of a council of twelve officials appointed to administer and preside over the Church

Other Word Forms

• apostlehood noun
• apostleship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apostle¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English apostle, apostol, apostul, from Old English apostol and Old French apostle, from Late Latin apostolus, from Greek apóstolos “ambassador, messenger,” literally, “one sent out,” noun derivative of apostéllein “to send off,” from apo- apo- + stéllein “to gather, make ready, send”; epistle

Word History and Origins

Origin of apostle¹

Old English apostol, from Church Latin apostolus, from Greek apostolos a messenger, from apostellein to send forth

Example Sentences

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul transformed Jewish tradition by moving God’s image from the physical body to the spiritual soul.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the church of St Paul Outside the Walls they walked down some steps to the tomb of St Paul, one of Christ's apostles.

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Controversial podcaster Benny Johnson told the crowd, “Fight for Charlie Kirk!” comparing him to the apostle Stephen, widely regarded as the first Christian martyr.

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After the Jesus Army disbanded, the BBC revealed its founder, Noel Stanton, along with his five so-called apostles, had covered up the abuse of women and children through their handling of complaints.

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The only recognized authorities are the apostles and prophets running the church or church network the believers attend.

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Related Words

• proponent 

When To Use

What does apostle mean?

The word apostle most commonly refers to one of the 12 original disciples, or followers, who Jesus assembled to follow him and preach his message.According to the Bible, the 12 apostles were Simon Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot. When used to refer to one of these 12, the word is sometimes capitalized.In the Eastern Church, apostle refers to one of 70 original disciples of Jesus. Sometimes, it refers to any of the early followers of Jesus, though the word disciple is more commonly used this way.The word is also used as a title of certain church officials, such as in some Protestant sects or in the Mormon Church.Example: My favorite story about Jesus and the 12 apostles is when they fed all those people with just a few loaves and fishes.