What is an apostle?

Question

What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?

Answer 1

I think of a disciple as a student and an apostle as a teacher -- though, obviously, there is some overlap. The dictionary says that a disciple can be both a student and a teacher while an apostle is more a pioneer of a reform movement. Thus, in Christ's case, He selected His twelve disciples and, as a result of His teachings, they became the apostles for the Christian Church. There were certainly other disciples (the 70, for example) but they weren't considered apostles. Then there was Saul, a.k.a, Paul... He was only a disciple for about 5 minutes on the road to Damascus and then became the most powerful Apostle (though some would argue with me on that point).

EDIT: Hey, musicimprovedme, you got that wrong. Saul wasn't persecuting Christians for sport. Saul was very sincere and thought He was doing God's work. If it were for sport, Jesus would not have bothered with him. Instead, Jesus saw the sincerity and the zealousness which was merely misguided. So, He confronted Saul with the Truth. With it plainly before his eyes, now Paul turned that same sincerity and zealousness to work for the Lord. That is why he was such a powerful apostle -- because of that same sincerity and zealousness.

Answer 2

Apostle:
The Greek word a·po′sto·los is derived from the common verb a·po·stel′lo, meaning simply “send forth (or off).” (Mt 10:5; Mr 11:3) Its basic sense is clearly illustrated in Jesus’ statement: “A slave is not greater than his master, nor is one that is sent forth [a·po′sto·los] greater than the one that sent him.” (Joh 13:16) In this sense the word also applies to Christ Jesus as “the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Heb 3:1; compare Mt 10:40; 15:24; Lu 4:18, 43; 9:48; 10:16; Joh 3:17; 5:36, 38; 6:29, 57; 7:29; 8:42; 10:36; 11:42; 17:3, 8, 18, 21-25; 20:21.) Jesus was sent forth by God as his appointed and commissioned representative.

The term is principally applied, however, to those disciples whom Jesus personally selected as a body of 12 appointed representatives. The names of the original 12 selected are given at Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:13-16. One of the original 12, Judas Iscariot, proved to be a traitor, thereby fulfilling earlier prophecies. (Ps 41:9; 109:8) The remaining 11 faithful apostles are again listed at Acts 1:13.

Disciple:
A disciple is a learner, a taught one—not just a pupil, however, but an adherent. A disciple accepts Jesus’ authority not just inwardly by believing in him but outwardly by obeying him. According to the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, the Greek word rendered “disciple” (ma·the·tes′) “implies the existence of a personal attachment which shapes the whole life of the one described as [a disciple].”

Answer 3

From what I understand a disciple is someone who follows the teachings of Christ. An Apostle is someone who has the authority to act in the name of Christ and to speak for Him. Much like a prophet. This is not the most detailed definition. Sorry I'm in the middle of a business call as well.

Answer 4

All apostles were disciples but not all disciples are apostles. There were 13 apostles counting Matthias. You and I are counted as disciples (assuming that Jesus is your Savior).

Answer 5

The Church did fall into apostasy after Christ died and all of the normal apostles died. It used to be in apostasy for 1000s of years earlier than it used to be restored to the earth. One of the predominant elements that went lacking while the apostles died used to be the vigour of the priesthood. All those church buildings that contradict one a further are missing one important nice--the vigour of the priesthood, that is God's vigour to behave in his title right here on the planet. The priesthood used to be restored to the earth through Peter, James, and John to the prophet Joseph Smith within the early 1800s. There are dwelling apostles in these days and a dwelling prophet on the head. The church that has this authority is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Answer 6

Depends on who you ask.

There are 12 in the Gospels (actually 13, since one is called Levi and in another book Matthew). In Acts they replace Judas with Matthias, so that brings us to 14.

In his letters, Paul calls himself an apostle, 15.

Then he names many other apostles, such as Barnabas (even a few women, gasp!). All told, there are probably over 20 "apostles" named in the bible.

It's hard to tell what the heck it means.

Answer 7

an apostle is personally called by jesus to follow him. A disciple chooses to follow Jesus on their own

Answer 8

Disciple means student (from the same root as discipline which means to teach). The 12 disciples of Jesus were his students.

Apostle means appointed one, or one who is sent. After Jesus death and resurrection, the disciples were expected to take his lessons, keeping them alive, and were sent out to begin spreading the Gospel to the Jews, and were thereafter referred to as apostles.

The Apostle Paul was the appointed witness for the Gentiles. All the apostles had seen Jesus directly, even Paul. Saul (whose name was changed) was confronted by the risen Christ himself in a vision and converted on the road to Damascus, after having persecuted Christians for sport.

Apostleship can literally apply to anyone who is a Christian with a burden for sharing the faith with others, led into situations where they can minister to someone who needs a good word. Throughout the Bible, you can apply the word apostle to many people: Noah (appointed to save the animals and repopulate the earth after the flood) John the Baptist (appointed to set the stage of repentence in the days just before Jesus' ministry) Abraham (appointed to establish the law and teach his people how to serve God) Moses (appointed to lead his people out of Egypt) and Jesus himself (appointed to save sinners).

Discipleship is applicable to modern Christians as well. Students of Jesus, students of the Bible, the church and its leadership, accepting Christianity as a moral code by which to live.

Answer 9

An apostle writes epistles.