The Meaning of Apostles vs. Disciples

The gospels refer to the followers of Jesus Christ sometimes as disciples and sometimes as apostles. What is the difference between these two terms?

The term disciple means “student.” Disciple is the term used to refer to any of the followers of Jesus Christ in the gospels.

The word apostle means "one who is sent." The apostles were twelve specific men chosen by Jesus among the many disciples.

Here are the names of the original twelve apostles according to Mark:

"So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."
Mark 3:16-19

Why twelve? There were twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus Christ selected twelve men as a symbolic way of appointing twelve new leaders of God's people, the Church.

The role of the Apostle was passed on through the laying on of the hands and the sacrament of Holy Orders. The bishops are the modern-day successors to the twelve apostles. These bishops also appointed priests and deacons to lead and serve God's people.

According to Matthew 28, Jesus sent forth his apostles to make disciples and baptize and teach his commandments. He sent them forth to the end of the earth.

Side note (not in the video): Was St. Paul an apostle or disciple?

St. Paul rightfully claimed to be one of the apostles. While he wasn't one of the twelve apostles that followed Jesus during his lifetime, St. Paul was a leader of the Church and oversaw the foundation of Christian communities in many cities throughout the Mediterranean. Jesus Christ also appeared to him directly and sent him forth on a special mission to the Gentiles.


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