What is the difference between a disciple and apostle?

[Chad]

Every apostle was a disciple, but not every disciple was an apostle. Every person who believes in Jesus is called His disciple. Matthew 28:19–20 records Jesus saying, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Greek word for “disciple” simply refers to a learner and is used throughout the New Testament to refer to people who believed in Jesus and followed Him (Luke 14:26–33). For example, Acts 6:1 says, “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing.” The word disciples simply means “believers” or “Christians” in this context.

The Greek word for “apostle” literally means “one who is sent” and can refer to an emissary or anyone sent on a mission. An apostle is given the authority of the one who sent him. All of the apostles were disciples—they were among the many believers in Jesus—but only a select group of disciples were chosen as the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:1–4; Mark 3:14; Acts 26:14–18). This included the original twelve disciples (although Judas Iscariot eventually reversed his loyalties and rejected Christ) and either Paul or Matthias. That there is a select group of twelve apostles is seen in the foundations of the walls of the New Jerusalem: twelve foundations, each inscribed with a name of an apostle (Revelation 21:14).

Other men who are named “apostles” in the New Testament—although not members of the Twelve—include Matthias (Acts 1:26), Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6–9), Timothy and Silas (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2:6), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25), and two unnamed apostles (2 Corinthians 8:23, possibly already included in the previous list). These men were “sent ones” in that they were chosen for specific work on behalf of the church, but they were not part of the Twelve who were hand-picked by Jesus. Jesus is also called an “apostle” in Hebrews 3:1, indicating that He was sent by and had the authority of His Father.

Ephesians 4:11–16 speaks of apostles along with other church leaders whose role was to equip the believers for works of service. The main distinction of apostles appears to have been regarding their authority. The apostles’ teaching forms the foundation for the truths of our faith (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:20). The qualifications for being an apostle included having been with Christ during His ministry, having personally witnessed Jesus after His resurrection, and having been empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform miracles or signs (Acts 1:21–22; 10:41; 2 Corinthians 12:12). Paul was an exception to part of the qualifications. Although he did not accompany Jesus on His earthly journeys, Jesus made a special appearance to him on the road to Damascus and set him apart as an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 26:14–18). This is why Paul compared his place among the other apostles as “one born at the wrong time” (1 Corinthians 15:8, NET).

There are no apostles, in the special sense of the word, alive in this world today. There were only twelve, and they had a special task in the founding of the church. The word apostle, however, is still used by some Christian groups in reference to a missionary or entrepreneurial leader in a general sense. But these people do not meet the same qualifications as the twelve apostles in the Bible.

In summary, every person who believes in Jesus as his or her Savior is a disciple of Jesus. However, only a select group of early believers were chosen as apostles and given authority to perform signs and share the revelations found in the New Testament.

What is the difference between a disciple and apostle? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between a disciple and apostle? Are the terms disciple and apostle synonymous? Why are the twelve interchangeably referred to as disciples and apostles?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[complete]

Hello @Chad,

Thank you for your OP.

An Apostle was divinely called and equipped for the task that he was appointed for, as in Matthew 10:1:-

'And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, ​

He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, ​

and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.'​

They were also given instruction as to where they should go, to whom they were to speak, and what they should say and do.
Matthew chapter 10 is full of instruction. Yes, verses 1-42 are so worth reading in regard to this subject.

Paul speaks of, 'the signs of an Apostle', which he mentions in:- 2 Cor. 12:12; Rom. 15:19-21 and 1 Cor. 2:4-5

'Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you ​

in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.'​

​

'Through mighty signs and wonders, ​

by the power of the Spirit of God; ​

so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, ​

I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.​

Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, ​

not where Christ was named, ​

lest I should build upon another man's foundation:​

But as it is written, ​

To whom He was not spoken of, they shall see: ​

and they that have not heard shall understand.'​

​

'And my speech and my preaching ​

was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, ​

but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:​

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, ​

but in the power of God.'​

​

Praise God!

​

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[complete]

'Behold, My servant shall deal prudently,
He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
As many were astonied at thee;
His visage was so marred more than any man,
and His form more than the sons of men:
So shall He sprinkle many nations;
the kings shall shut their mouths at Him:
for that which had not been told them shall they see;
and that which they had not heard shall they consider.'
(Isa 52:13-15)

Hello @Chad,

I looked up the verses (above) after reading Romans 15:19-21 which I have quoted in my previous entry, for verse 21 is quoted from Isaiah 52:15 (above).

What I love is that Paul has so identified himself with his Lord, that he sees his apostleship as the continuation of that of His risen Lord. For though it is through Paul that the ministry to the Gentiles (i.e., nations) is accomplished, it is the fulfillment of the finished work of Christ which is being worked out through him. That they which had not been told should see, and they that had not heard may consider the wondrous work of Christ on their behalf, believe and receive the salvation which the Saviour had wrought for them upon the cross.

Praise God!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[complete]

'Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,
consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him,
as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses,
inasmuch as He Who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.'
(Heb 3:1-3)

Hello @Chad,

The Lord Jesus Christ is spoken of in these verses as an Apostle - e,g., one Who is sent: and He often spoke of Himself as having been sent, didn't He? eg.,:-

'And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them:
and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them,
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My Name, receiveth Me:
and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.
(Mar 9:36-37)

Praise God!

Thank you

 

[A servant of the Kings]

Every apostle was a disciple, but not every disciple was an apostle. Every person who believes in Jesus is called His disciple. Matthew 28:19–20 records Jesus saying, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Greek word for “disciple” simply refers to a learner and is used throughout the New Testament to refer to people who believed in Jesus and followed Him (Luke 14:26–33). For example, Acts 6:1 says, “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing.” The word disciples simply means “believers” or “Christians” in this context.

The Greek word for “apostle” literally means “one who is sent” and can refer to an emissary or anyone sent on a mission. An apostle is given the authority of the one who sent him. All of the apostles were disciples—they were among the many believers in Jesus—but only a select group of disciples were chosen as the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:1–4; Mark 3:14; Acts 26:14–18). This included the original twelve disciples (although Judas Iscariot eventually reversed his loyalties and rejected Christ) and either Paul or Matthias. That there is a select group of twelve apostles is seen in the foundations of the walls of the New Jerusalem: twelve foundations, each inscribed with a name of an apostle (Revelation 21:14).

Other men who are named “apostles” in the New Testament—although not members of the Twelve—include Matthias (Acts 1:26), Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6–9), Timothy and Silas (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2:6), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25), and two unnamed apostles (2 Corinthians 8:23, possibly already included in the previous list). These men were “sent ones” in that they were chosen for specific work on behalf of the church, but they were not part of the Twelve who were hand-picked by Jesus. Jesus is also called an “apostle” in Hebrews 3:1, indicating that He was sent by and had the authority of His Father.

Ephesians 4:11–16 speaks of apostles along with other church leaders whose role was to equip the believers for works of service. The main distinction of apostles appears to have been regarding their authority. The apostles’ teaching forms the foundation for the truths of our faith (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:20). The qualifications for being an apostle included having been with Christ during His ministry, having personally witnessed Jesus after His resurrection, and having been empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform miracles or signs (Acts 1:21–22; 10:41; 2 Corinthians 12:12). Paul was an exception to part of the qualifications. Although he did not accompany Jesus on His earthly journeys, Jesus made a special appearance to him on the road to Damascus and set him apart as an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 26:14–18). This is why Paul compared his place among the other apostles as “one born at the wrong time” (1 Corinthians 15:8, NET).

There are no apostles, in the special sense of the word, alive in this world today. There were only twelve, and they had a special task in the founding of the church. The word apostle, however, is still used by some Christian groups in reference to a missionary or entrepreneurial leader in a general sense. But these people do not meet the same qualifications as the twelve apostles in the Bible.

In summary, every person who believes in Jesus as his or her Savior is a disciple of Jesus. However, only a select group of early believers were chosen as apostles and given authority to perform signs and share the revelations found in the New Testament.

What is the difference between a disciple and apostle? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between a disciple and apostle? Are the terms disciple and apostle synonymous? Why are the twelve interchangeably referred to as disciples and apostles?

www.gotquestions.org

I will testy to you that Jesus is very much alive today, some of us are taught directly by Him, and has been blessed to meet Him in person. He is in Heaven, Where our Father is.