apostle
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.”
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.
Origin of apostle
1Other words from apostle
- a·pos·tle·hood, a·pos·tle·ship, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use apostle in a sentence
“The New Apostles talk about taking dominion over American society in pastoral terms,” wrote Wilder in the Texas Observer.
He never will tell you, that inspired apostles, prophets, and other officers are not requisite in the church now.
The Kingdom of God, Part 1 | Orson PrattThis then is an infallible sign by which to distinguish true apostles from false ones.
The Kingdom of God, Part 1 | Orson PrattThe English Bible, too, was in Shakespeare's hands, and he must have been familiar with shepherd kings and fishermen-apostles.
Tolstoy on Shakespeare | Leo TolstoyEven the element of time serves to build his case against the false apostles.
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians | Martin Luther
Seduced into error by the false apostles, the Galatians refused to acknowledge St. Paul as their pastor.
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians | Martin Luther
British Dictionary definitions for apostle
/ (əˈpɒsəl) /
(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
Origin of apostle
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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