Apostle vs Disciple
The difference between apostle and disciple can be better understood when you know what the two terms represent individually. The words apostle and disciple are frequently encountered in biblical study. Many people mistakenly consider apostles and disciples to be the same and often use these words interchangeably. However, this is incorrect and needs clarification. To have a clearer understanding of the concepts, it is necessary to know the difference between an apostle and a disciple. In this article, we will discuss what each term represents to help you understand the difference between apostle and disciple.
Who is a Disciple?
According to the Oxford English dictionary, a disciple is defined as ‘a follower or pupil of a teacher, leader, or philosopher.’ This means that a disciple is essentially a pupil or student. In his time, Jesus accepted everyone as his disciples, including sinners and women, which angered purists. The word disciple comes from the Latin word discipulus, meaning a learner who learns from his teacher.
Upon studying the Bible, you will discover that disciples were followers or students of Jesus Christ. Out of his many followers, Jesus chose twelve to travel and learn from him. These twelve individuals were initially the Disciples of Christ. These were the men who were later sent to distant lands to act as messengers, becoming the first apostles.
Who is an Apostle?
According to the Oxford English dictionary, the general meaning of the term apostle is ‘a vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular policy, idea, or cause.’ This is separate from its use in reference to Jesus Christ’s 12 apostles. In that sense, they were twelve disciples or students who later became messengers of the religion as they supported Jesus’s religious beliefs.
It is true that apostles were also disciples, but one cannot use the word apostle when referring to someone who has merely been a follower or disciple of Christ. So, not all disciples were apostles, though all apostles were disciples.
An apostle was, in addition to being a follower of Jesus, a special trainee who was later sent out as a messenger to preach Christianity. Interestingly, among the 12 that Jesus chose as apostles, there was Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Christ and later killed himself. Matthais replaced Judas and joined the rest of the group to become an apostle. The original 12 apostles were Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (the Less), Judas (or Thaddaeus), Simon, and Judas Iscariot.
What is the difference between Apostle and Disciple?
Some people mistakenly believe that the terms disciple and apostle mentioned in the Bible are the same, but this is not true.
• If you explore the Greek roots of the words apostle and disciple, the difference between the two becomes very clear. The Greek word for disciple literally means student, while the Greek word for apostle means a messenger or sent one.
• While it is true that Jesus chose 12 of his disciples to become messengers later on, not all disciples can be called apostles.
• All 12 apostles of Jesus were disciples. However, you cannot say all the disciples of Christianity are apostles.
Key Takeaways
- A disciple is a follower or pupil of a teacher, leader, or philosopher, while an apostle is a vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular policy, idea, or cause, as well as a special trainee sent out as a messenger to preach Christianity.
- The Greek word for disciple literally means student, while the Greek word for apostle means a messenger or sent one.
- All 12 apostles of Jesus were disciples, but not all disciples can be called apostles.
