whats the difference in disciples and apostles?

Answer 1

in the original greek, the word translated "disciple" literally means learner or student; on the other hand, "apostle" in the original Greek, means "one sent forth". good question.

Answer 2

You have one or two answers which define the words well. People get confused because the writers used the words interchangably in the Gospel accounts.

Jesus had His 12 students, or disciples. He was training these men to be leaders and teachers of the Gospel and of the Kingdom. They became the first century apostles who started and oversaw the first congregations of the Church. Since the writers, also disciples and apostles, new the men as disciples and apostles, it is natural they may have interchanged the words even in accounts during Jesus' time on earth.

No decent or true apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher (Eph. 4:11-13) would be where they are unless they started out as a true disciple. They, like all of us, must first be a disciple of Christ, and also be under someone (discipled) who would "raise" them, just as Timothy was taught by Paul, being called a "son in the faith".

I trust this was not information overkill.

Answer 3

A disciple is a follower of Christ.

An Apostle is a person set-apart to a special office in the Melchizidek Priesthood. It means "one who is sent" and an Apostle is called to be a special witness to the reality of what the Savior taught.

I do believe there are Apostles today. The true Church fell away for a time after Christ died (and after all the Apostles died). This Church had Apostles at its head.
(See Eph. 2:20 ... it says "[The members of the Church] are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;")
After this Church fell away, I would assume that people were still good at heart and wanted to follow Christ. So they built up churches doing the best they could.

Long story made short, in 1830 a Church was set up again by Christ Himself with 12 Apostles and with three Apostles at the head of the Church (like Peter, James and John in the NT). That Church was given a promise by the Lord Himself that it would never again be taken from the Earth and, according to His own words, "the ony true and living church upon the face of the whole Earth with which I the Lord am well pleased."

Here are the picture of the Apostles who are at the head of the Church right now (one of them passed away this past Friday morning...a new Apostle will soon be called...see the end of Acts Chapter One for more info on how that works):

(This is the best site I could find...you'll have to click on links but the "First Presidency" are the three chief Apostles and the "Quorum of the 12" are the 12 Apostles on the Earth today. James E. Faust was the one who recently passed away.) http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=67509c643826e010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD&vgnextchannel=67509c643826e010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD

Hope that helps to answer you question! :o)

Answer 4

A disciple is a student. All who followed Jesus were disciples as they were learning about life from Jesus. However, he set aside 12 men to learn and later take over his teaching. After his death they were named Apostles.

There were eleven of them (as Judas had committed suicide). So to fill his spot, they cast lots and picked Matthias. Many feel that they acted without God's will in this and that God had picked Paul to become the next Apostle.

Paul suggests that an Apostle is someone who has seen the resurrected Jesus (as he did at Emmaus) and been commissioned to serve him.

Some non-denominational Bible churches today continue to use the term Apostles. But most churches believe that Paul was the last Apostle.

Pastor John

Addendum: Jonathon is partially correct. In the New Testament, apostolos has an important additional meaning. It is a word that Jesus uses to speak of the authority with which he was sent by God. Thus for the Apostles it does connotate their being sent but also that they were sent with the authority of God

Answer 5

Disciples are not necessary Apostles but Apostles of Jesus Christ are all disciples.

Answer 6

Both are followers of Jesus. The apostles are the 12 that were chosen by Jesus to be with Him during His ministry here on earth. Everyone else who follows Him is called a disciple.

Answer 7

I can't be sure on this. To my understanding,The Apostles were a more knowledgeable person{Jesus was once called an Apostles,High Priest} and sent out to teach sound doctrine.*God Bless*

Answer 8

Disciples (generally speaking) are followers of Christ where as an Apostle is one of 12 special witnesses of Christ and his resurrection they are leaders of the body of Christ or God's church on earth.

Answer 9

well I know a disciple is like an apprentice, while an apostle has a leadership role. I don't know much more, sorry.

Answer 10

Disciples are those that are learning. Apostles are those that go forth to teach, baptize,heal the sick, preaching the gospel