Definition of apostle
1 : one sent on a mission: such asa : one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paulb : the first prominent Christian missionary to a region or group St. Boniface, the Apostle of Germany
2a : a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or systemb : an ardent supporter : adherent apostles of high technology
3 : the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations
4 : one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men
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Examples of apostle in a Sentence
a fervent apostle of universal health care
Origin and Etymology of apostle
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Old English; Anglo-French apostle & Old English apostol, both from Late Latin apostolus, from Greek apostolos, from apostellein to send away, from apo- + stellein to send
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Bible Terms
APOSTLE Defined for English Language Learners
apostle
playDefinition of apostle for English Language Learners
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: any one of the 12 men chosen by Jesus Christ to spread the Christian religion
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: someone who believes in or supports an idea, cause, etc.
APOSTLE Defined for Kids
apostle
playDefinition of apostle for Students
: one of the twelve close followers of Jesus
Learn More about apostle
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for apostle Spanish Central: Translation of apostle Nglish: Translation of apostle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of apostle for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apostle
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