Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Apostle
A-pos′tle
,Noun.
[OE.
apostle
, apostel
, postle
, AS. apostol
, L. apostolus
, fr. Gr. [GREEK] messenger, one sent forth or away, fr. [GREEK] to send off or away; [GREEK] from + [GREEK] to send; akin to G. stellen
to set, E. stall
: cf. F. apôtre
, Of. apostre
, apostle
, apostele
, apostole
.] 1.
Literally: One sent forth; a messenger. Specifically: One of the twelve disciples of Christ, specially chosen as his companions and witnesses, and sent forth to preach the gospel.
He called unto him his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named
apostles
. Luke vi. 13.
☞ The title of apostle is also applied to others, who, though not of the number of the Twelve, yet were equal with them in office and dignity; as, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.”
1 Cor. i. 1.
In Heb. iii. 1
, the name is given to Christ himself, as having been sent from heaven to publish the gospel. In the primitive church, other ministers were called apostles (Rom. xvi. 7).
2.
The missionary who first plants the Christian faith in any part of the world; also, one who initiates any great moral reform, or first advocates any important belief; one who has extraordinary success as a missionary or reformer;
as, Dionysius of Corinth is called the
. apostle
of France, John Eliot the apostle
to the Indians, Theobald Mathew the apostle
of temperance3.
(Civ. & Admiralty Law)
A brief letter dimissory sent by a court appealed from to the superior court, stating the case, etc.; a paper sent up on appeals in the admiralty courts.
Wharton. Burrill.
Apostles’ creed
, a creed of unknown origin, which was formerly ascribed to the apostles. It certainly dates back to the beginning of the sixth century, and some assert that it can be found in the writings of Ambrose in the fourth century.
– Apostle spoon
(Antiq.)
, a spoon of silver, with the handle terminating in the figure of an apostle. One or more were offered by sponsors at baptism as a present to the godchild.
B. Jonson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Apostle
APOS'TLE
,Noun.
A person deputed to execute some important business; but appropriately, a disciple of Christ commissioned to preach the gospel. Twelve persons were selected by Christ for this purpose; and Judas, one of the number, proving an apostate, his place was supplied by Matthias. Acts 1.
The title of apostle is applied to Christ himself, Heb. 3. In the primitive ages of the church, other ministers were called apostles, Rom. 16; as were persons sent to carry alms from one church to another, Philip. 2. This title was also given to persons who first planted the Christian faith. Thus Dionysius of Corinth is called the apostle of France; and the Jesuit Missionaries are called apostles.
Among the Jews, the title was given to officers who were sent into distant provinces, as visitors or commissioners, to see the laws observed.
Apostle, in the Greek liturgy, is a book contained the epistles of St. Paul, printed in the order in which they are to be read in churches, through the year.