2007-05-28 16:23:20 · 10 answers · asked by da dude 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
disciple...student
apostle...messenger
BIG difference
One learns
One goes out and preaches the Word
2007-05-28 16:27:09 · answer #1 · answered by pinkstealth 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A disciple is a follower of Jesus who decides to spread the gospel as He did. The 12 men Jesus chose were His pupils (disciples) for spreading the gospel once He went back to heaven.
An apostle is a person who preached the gospel but wasn't necessarily trained or teaching when Jesus was still on earth. Paul was an apostle.
2007-05-28 23:40:37 · answer #2 · answered by countseven 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A disciple is a follower of Jesus
The NT clearly identifies four levels of apostleship or four ways in which the word “apostle” is used.
1) Jesus - In one sense, Jesus is the one true apostle, the "sent one" from God the Father (Heb. 3:1).
2) The Twelve - The original twelve apostles (the eleven plus Matthias [Acts 1:26]) constitute a unique and closed company. They will have the distinct role of judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28) and their names will be inscribed on the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14).
Note the qualifications that were required of the one who took the place of Judas (Acts 1:21-22).
3) Paul and others - Another group of apostles, equal in authority to the twelve, includes Paul (1 Cor. 15:9), Barnabas (Acts 14:4,14), James, the brother of Jesus (Gal. 1:19; 1 Cor. 15:7), and perhaps Silas (1 Thess. 2:7), Andronicus (Rom. 16:7) and Junias (Rom. 16:7). 1 Cor. 15:7 may be referring to yet more apostles.
· Although he was not included among the twelve, some would prefer to place Paul at Level 2 (or in a category unto himself), insofar as his authority was certainly equal to theirs (Gal. 1:11-17; 2 Cor. 12:11-12).
·4) Messengers and Church Representatives - Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25) and the unnamed brethren of 2 Cor. 8:23 (possibly including Titus) fall into this category in which the term "apostle" (35x in Paul, 80x in the NT) is used in a non-technical, broad sense.
No one denies that there may be level 4 apostles today, people who function as church planters, ambassadors and/or representatives of a local church. Few, if any, want to argue that there are level 1 or 2 apostles today. But are there level 3 apostles today?
B. Criteria for Apostleship
What qualifications are essential for Level 3 apostleship?
1) Eye-Ear Witness to the Risen Christ - To be an apostle one must have both seen and heard the risen Christ. This is implied by Acts 1:21-22; 1 Cor.. 9:1, and 15:6-9. But simply seeing the risen Christ did not make someone an apostle, for many saw and heard Him (e.g. 1 Cor. 15:6) who were not apostles.
2) A Personal Call and Commission from Jesus - This is evident from the statements of Paul himself (Gal. 1:1; Rom. 1:1,5; 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; etc.).
2007-05-28 23:45:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An apostle was one of the original 12 + Judas Iscariot. A disciple was/is a follower of Christ teachings. For example, St. Paul was a disciple of Christ.
2007-05-28 23:34:55 · answer #4 · answered by sweetlilirishcatholicgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apostles were ones who lived and worked with Jesus during his ministry. There were many disciples, people who followed Jesus. Paul claimed authority as an apostle because Jesus came to Paul in a revelation.
2007-05-28 23:29:51 · answer #5 · answered by keri gee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An apostle is defined as: one sent forth, as messenger, one of the 12 disciples with Christ sent forth to preach the gospel.
A disciple is: one who learns from another.
So the difference is, while Christ was alive they were disciples because they were learning, and when he had died, been resurrected and ascended to heave they became apostles because they were going out and teaching others about Christ
2007-05-28 23:27:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
An apostle was one of the twelve who Jesus appointed as apostles. When Judas died another apostle was appointed in his place. The number 12 was important in that it relates to the 12 tribes of Israel. There are no apostles other then those appointed by Jesus...there are no apostles today. When the apostles died their office died with them. Disciples are followers of Jesus.
2007-05-28 23:29:04 · answer #7 · answered by tas211 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Disciple is someone who is trying to live a Christ like life and follow his example. A Apostle is someone who Jesus has chosen to lead and teach his people who has been given sure witness of Christ.
2007-05-28 23:31:40 · answer #8 · answered by saintrose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a disciple is a follower of a leader
when the original 12 followed Jesus they were his disciples
but when Jesus left and continued with the Gosple then they were apostles spreading the word for Jesus
2007-05-28 23:29:41 · answer #9 · answered by Tommiecat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spelling.
2007-05-28 23:25:56 · answer #10 · answered by McLovin 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋