Sometimes random questions come to mind and today I wondered if I knew the difference between a disciple and an apostle. I didn't. Forgive me if it's elementary to cradle Catholics and I simply missed that lesson as a convert. So, naturally, I Googled it. Of all the links returned, here is the most succinct definition I found:
Disciples are called; apostles are sent. All apostles are disciples; not all disciples become apostles.
Jesus chose his 12 disciples (students/followers) and gave them the power to bind and loose sin, to go forth and spread the Good News. (Jesus sent them.) At the Ascension, disciples became apostles--the ones who were called to become ambassadors, sent with the Good News into all the world. The Holy Spirit coming to rest on the disciples at Pentacost enabled that commission. Such a wondrous miracle that continues these two thousand years.
The word "apostle" has two meanings, the broader meaning of "messenger," and the narrower meaning defining the 12 men directly linked to Jesus Christ.
All the apostles were disciples, but all disciples are not apostles. Jesus chose 12 disciples, this inner circle of men, who came to be known as apostles. They were entrusted (sent) to spread the message of Jesus throughout the world so that eventually there would be many disciples. It was said in my research that there are no modern-day "apostles."
Somehow that doesn't seem right. Surely Pope Francis, in the direct line from Peter, even in the narrower meaning, is an apostle, certainly chosen or sent by God to spread the message of Jesus today. And, just as certainly, he was first a disciple.
Disciples are called; apostles are sent. All apostles are disciples; not all disciples become apostles.
Jesus chose his 12 disciples (students/followers) and gave them the power to bind and loose sin, to go forth and spread the Good News. (Jesus sent them.) At the Ascension, disciples became apostles--the ones who were called to become ambassadors, sent with the Good News into all the world. The Holy Spirit coming to rest on the disciples at Pentacost enabled that commission. Such a wondrous miracle that continues these two thousand years.
The word "apostle" has two meanings, the broader meaning of "messenger," and the narrower meaning defining the 12 men directly linked to Jesus Christ.
All the apostles were disciples, but all disciples are not apostles. Jesus chose 12 disciples, this inner circle of men, who came to be known as apostles. They were entrusted (sent) to spread the message of Jesus throughout the world so that eventually there would be many disciples. It was said in my research that there are no modern-day "apostles."
Somehow that doesn't seem right. Surely Pope Francis, in the direct line from Peter, even in the narrower meaning, is an apostle, certainly chosen or sent by God to spread the message of Jesus today. And, just as certainly, he was first a disciple.
