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 Words From

• a·pos·tle·hood a·pos·tle·ship 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 2020, five senior leaders known as the Apostles, were found to have covered-up the abuse of women and children following an independent inquiry commissioned by the Jesus Fellowship.

From BBC

I did “The Apostle” with Robert Duvall when I was 24 years old, and he was at the center of the people in the pantheon that I looked up to.

From Salon

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a scenic gem located in the far northern reaches of Wisconsin, along the coast of Lake Superior and the nation’s northernmost border.

From Seattle Times

His research revealed the preeminence of NAR Apostle Dutch Sheets in gathering the faithful to Washington on Jan. 6 to overturn the 2020 election for God.

From Salon

One reader wrote that “Mrs. Scanzoni’s article is a prime reason the Apostle Paul told women to be silent.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• proponent