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apostle
[ uh-pos-uhl ]
noun
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.â€
- Eastern Church. one of the 70 disciples of Jesus.
- the title of the highest ecclesiastical official in certain Protestant sects.
- one of the 12 administrative officials of the Mormon Church.
- 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.
- a loyal supporter or follower:
Our company’s apostles are motivated by the service they can render for the good of the organization.
- Nautical. a knighthead, especially one having its top projecting and used as a bitt or bollard.
apostle
/ əˈ±èÉ’²õÉ™±ô /
noun
- often capital one of the 12 disciples chosen by Christ to preach his gospel
- any prominent Christian missionary, esp one who first converts a nation or people
- an ardent early supporter of a cause, reform movement, etc
- Mormon Church a member of a council of twelve officials appointed to administer and preside over the Church
Other 51³Ô¹Ï Forms
- ²¹Â·±è´Ç²õ·³Ù±ô±ð·³ó´Ç´Ç»å ²¹Â·±è´Ç²õ·³Ù±ô±ð·²õ³ó¾±±è noun
51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins
Origin of apostle1
51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins
Origin of apostle1
Example Sentences
As for Trump the apostle of Christ, well, this brings to mind the words of the Duke of Wellington: “If you can believe that, you can believe anything.â€
If anything, this book illustrates how it’s about to become a lot worse, as the key apostles of the “winner take all†economy prepare to take office.
Throughout the Twelve Days, people shared traditional mince pies with friends and family, eating a mixture within that contained 13 ingredients representing Christ and his apostles.
The 12th century “Stavelot Retable,†loaned by Paris’ Cluny Museum, shows the Christian Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the 12 apostles, courtesy of beams of light radiating from above.
What the documentary describes as the “shock wave†from Jesus’ doleful announcement of profound betrayal within his cohort is seen rippling through the facial features and bodily gestures of the gathered apostles.
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Related 51³Ô¹Ïs
More About Apostle
What doesÌýapostle mean?
The word apostle most commonly refers to one of the 12 original disciples, or followers, who Jesus assembled to follow him and preach his message.
According to the Bible, the 12 apostles were Simon Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot. When used to refer to one of these 12, the word is sometimes capitalized.
In the Eastern Church, apostle refers to one of 70 original disciples of Jesus. Sometimes, it refers to any of the early followers of Jesus, though the word disciple is more commonly used this way.
The word is also used as a title of certain church officials, such as in some Protestant sects or in the Mormon Church.
Example: My favorite story about Jesus and the 12 apostles is when they fed all those people with just a few loaves and fishes.
Where doesÌýapostle come from?
The first records of the word apostle in English come from before the mid-900s. It comes from the Old English apostol, which derives from the Greek ²¹±èó²õ³Ù´Ç±ô´Ç²õ, meaning “one who is sent.â€
Two of the Gospels (accounts of Jesus’s life and teachings in the New Testament) are attributed to a few of the original, capital-A Apostles—Matthew and John. These accounts tell the story of how the Apostles were chosen by Jesus and their travels with him before he eventually sent them to go out and spread Christianity.
Apart from its use to refer to the original followers of Jesus—whether it refers to 12 or 70 or just the first ones in general—the word came to be used in several other ways referring to people following in the footsteps of the first Apostles. In general, it can refer to a prominent Christian missionary. More specifically, it’s used as a title for certain church leaders. Although the term is almost always used in the context of Christianity, it can also generally refer to a pioneer of any reform movement.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to apostle?
- apostolic (adjective)
- apostlehood (noun)
- apostleship (noun)
What are some synonyms for apostle?
What are some words that share a root or word element with apostle?Ìý
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What are some words that often get used in discussing apostle?
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How isÌýapostle used in real life?
Apostle is almost always used in a religious context. When capitalized, it refers to one of the original followers of Jesus.
I come to the Central African Republic as a pilgrim of peace and as an apostle of hope.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex)
Ìý
Working out with no headphones today. I could be wrong, but I think this is what the Apostle Paul was referring to in Phil. 4:13.
— Sean Lowe (@SeanLowe09)
In today’s First Reading, we see the spiritual house of the Church being built up, as the Apostles consecrate seven deacons so they can devote themselves more fully to the “ministry of the 51³Ô¹Ï.â€
— Catholic Church (@catholicEW)
Try usingÌýapostle!
Which of the following people was NOT one of the original 12 apostles?
A. Matthew
B. Paul
C. John
D. Judas
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