apostolic

[ ap-uh-stol-ik ]

adjective

1. of or characteristic of an apostle.
2. pertaining to or characteristic of the 12 apostles.
3. derived from the apostles in regular succession.
4. of or relating to the pope; papal.

apostolic

/ ˌæpəˈstɒlɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, deriving from, or contemporary with the Apostles
2. of or relating to the teachings or practice of the Apostles
3. of or relating to the pope regarded as chief successor of the Apostles

Derived Forms

• ˌaposˈtolically, adverb
• ˌaposˈtolical, adjective

Other Words From

• ap·os·tol·i·cal·ly adverb
• ap·os·tol·i·cism [ap-, uh, -, stol, -, uh, -siz-, uh, m], noun
• a·pos·to·lic·ity [uh, -pos-tl-, is, -i-tee], ap·os·tol·i·cal·ness noun
• non·ap·os·tol·ic adjective
• non·ap·os·tol·i·cal adjective
• non·ap·os·tol·i·cal·ly adverb
• post·ap·os·tol·ic adjective
• post·ap·os·tol·i·cal adjective
• pro·ap·os·tol·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apostolic¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin apostolicus, from Greek apostolikós, from apóstol(os) apostle + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

First, the apostolic networks are present in the county, then they attract “big-name visitors” for special events, and then “the local growth of these communities and networks” begins to impact local politics.

From Salon

At least five or six apostolic networks have been active in Lancaster County and devoted to the mission of “taking over churches,” mostly within “historically Anabaptist communities” such as the Mennonites, the Amish, the Brethren, the Hutterites and similar Christian traditions.

From Salon

In the 1990s, a cohort of evangelicals imagined a new revolution in Christianity—the group dubbed it the New Apostolic Reformation—that would reorganize worship around modern-day apostles and prophets who could hear directly from God and channel the divine into routine wonders.

From Slate

What is less known, however, is how the fringe Christian movement the New Apostolic Reformation dominated and shaped the effort to overturn the 2020 election.

From Salon

The New Apostolic Reformation is a set of leadership networks created by a seminary professor named C. Peter Wagner.

From Salon

Related Words

• ecclesiastical
• ministerial
• monastic
• pastoral
• rabbinical