Disciple vs. Apostle — What's the Difference?

Someone who adopts the beliefs and practices of a particular figure or philosophy.

One of the twelve followers of Jesus Christ in Christianity.

A learner who follows the teachings of a master.

Someone who pioneers or advocates for a particular cause or idea.

An adherent of a religious faith or doctrine.

A person sent by a church to preach and establish new congregations.

A student under the direct guidance of a mentor.

A messenger sent on a specific mission, especially in a religious context.

A follower who seeks to emulate the life and teachings of a leader.

A leading proponent of a movement or ideology.

A personal follower of Christ during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.

An apostle (), in its most literal sense, is an emissary, from Greek ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), literally "one who is sent off", from the verb ἀποστέλλειν (apostéllein), "to send off". The purpose of such sending off is usually to convey a message, and thus "messenger" is a common alternative translation; other common translations include "ambassador" and "envoy".The term derives from the Greek of the New Testament and was used for Jesus's original Twelve Apostles (including Peter, James, and John), as well as a wider group of early Christian figures, including Paul, Barnabas, and Junia.

One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.

Each of the twelve chief disciples of Jesus Christ.

An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.

Apostle One of a group made up especially of the 12 disciples chosen by Jesus to preach the gospel.

Often Disciple One of the original followers of Jesus.

A missionary of the early Christian Church.

Disciple A member of the Disciples of Christ.

A leader of the first Christian mission to a country or region.

A person who learns from another, especially one who then teaches others.

One of the 12 members of the administrative council in the Mormon Church.

An active follower or adherent of someone, or some philosophy etc.

One who pioneers an important reform movement, cause, or belief

(Ireland) A wretched, miserable-looking man.

A passionate adherent; a strong supporter.

To convert (a person) into a disciple.

A missionary, or leader of a religious mission, especially one in the early Christian Church (but see Apostle).

To train, educate, teach.

A pioneer or early advocate of a particular cause, prophet of a belief.

To routinely counsel (one's peer or junior) one-on-one in their discipleship of Christ, as a fellow affirmed disciple.

A top-ranking ecclesiastical official in the twelve seat administrative council of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One who receives instruction from another; a scholar; a learner; especially, a follower who has learned to believe in the truth of the doctrine of his teacher; an adherent in doctrine; as, the disciples of Plato; the disciples of our Savior.

A person who is plucked, that is, refused an academic degree.

To teach; to train.

(legal) A letter dismissory.

To punish; to discipline.

(legal) A note sent to an appeals court presenting the appeal in summary.

To make disciples of; to convert to doctrines or principles.

(legal) The trial court record sent to an appeal court concerning an appeal.

Someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another

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.

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 temperance.

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.

An ardent early supporter of a cause or reform;

Any important early teacher of Christianity or a Christian missionary to a people

(New Testament) one of the original 12 disciples chosen by Christ to preach his gospel

No, they refer to distinct roles, with disciples being learners and apostles being messengers.

Yes, in some religious contexts, a disciple can become an apostle when sent on a specific mission.

No, the concept of apostles is most prevalent in Christianity, though similar roles exist in other faiths.

Generally, yes, as apostles start as disciples who learn before they are sent out on their missions.

Apostles are responsible for spreading teachings, converting believers, and establishing communities.

A disciple is a follower or learner of a teaching, while an apostle is sent on a mission to spread those teachings.

Apostles spread teachings through preaching, writing, and establishing communities.

No, discipleship can apply to any context where there is a learner-teacher relationship.

Apostleship is central to Christianity, as the apostles were tasked with spreading Jesus' teachings and founding the early church.

They traveled extensively, preached, wrote letters, and formed early Christian communities.

Yes, it can apply metaphorically to anyone pioneering or advocating vigorously for a cause or idea.

Disciples are characterized by their willingness to learn, follow, and practice teachings.

Typically, becoming an apostle involves first being a disciple to learn the teachings that one will spread.

Disciples focus on learning and personal growth rather than a specific mission to spread teachings.

Modern interpretations may focus more on the metaphorical journey of learning and spreading ideas, whereas ancient ones had more literal and religious connotations.