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An apostle (), in its literal sense, is an emissary. The word is derived from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος ( apóstolos), literally "one who is sent off", itself derived 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 "diplomat". The term in Ancient Greek also has other related meanings.
In Christianity, the term was used in the New Testament for Jesus' Twelve Apostles (including Saint Peter, James, and John), as well as a wider group of early Christian figures, including Paul, Barnabas, and Junia. Bart Ehrman - The History of the Bible: The Making of the New Testament Canon The Teaching Company, Lesson no. 4. The term is also used to designate an important missionary of Christianity to a region or a group, Apostle at OED; retrieved 27 March 2025 e.g. Patrick, the apostle of Ireland, "Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland" at EWTN; retrieved 27 March 2025 or Boniface, the "apostle of the Germans". "Saint Boniface – English Apostle to the German Peoples" at EWTN; retrieved 27 March 2025 Some other religions use the term for comparable figures in their history. The word in this sense may be used metaphorically in various contexts, but is mostly found used specifically for early associates of the founder of a religion, who were important in spreading their teachings. The term is also used to refer to someone who is a strong supporter of something.
The word apostle has two meanings: the broader meaning of a messenger and the narrower meaning of an early Christian apostle directly linked to Jesus. The more general meaning of the word is translated into Latin as missiō, and from this word we get missionary.
The term only occurs once in the Septuagint.Wilhelm Schneemelcher, Robert McLachlan Wilson New Testament Apocrypha: Writings relating to the Apostles- 2003 - 0664227228 Page 7 "Unfortunately the adjectival noun Απόστολος occurs in LXX only in a single passage, and indeed as a translation of the Hebrew shaluach (passive participle of shalach - 1 Kings 14:6)." But Walter Bauer in his Bauer lexicon relates the term to the rabbinical idea of a Shaliah, or agent: "Judaism had an office known as apostle ()". The Friberg Greek Lexicon gives a broad definition as one who is sent on a mission, a commissioned representative of a congregation, a messenger for God, a person who has the special task of founding and establishing churches. The UBS Greek Dictionary also describes an apostle broadly as a messenger. The Louw-Nida Lexicon gives a very narrow definition of a special messenger, generally restricted to the immediate followers of Jesus, or extended to some others like Paul or other early Christians active in proclaiming the gospel.
The adjective apostolic () is claimed as a continuing characteristic by a number of prominent Christian churches (i.e., that a given church's traditions, practices, and teachings descend directly from the original apostles), and so finds wider modern application. The word is found, for example, in the "Apostolic See", the official name for the Roman Catholic Papacy; in the doctrine of apostolic succession, held by many branches of Christianity; and in the Four Marks of the Church ("one, holy, catholic, and apostolic") found in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
The title apostle from the New Testament was also given to others in the reference to the Apostles in the New Testament. For example, Saint Patrick (373–463 AD) was the "Apostle of Ireland" who also shares that title with the Twelve Apostles of Ireland; Saint Martin of Braga (520–580 AD) who was the "Apostle to the Suevi"; Saint Boniface (680–755) who was the "Apostle to the German people";"Apostle." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005. . Francis Xavier (1506-1522) who was the "Apostle of the East Indies"; Saint José de Anchieta (1534–1597) who was the "Apostle of Brazil"; and Saint Peter of Betancur (1626–1667) who was the "Apostle of Guatemala".
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Latter Day Saint movement), an apostle is a "special witness of the name of Jesus who is sent to teach the principles of salvation to the world." In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saint churches, an apostle is a priesthood office of high authority within the church hierarchy.
In the Latter Day Saint churches, apostles are members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the church. Modern-day apostles are considered to have the same status and authority as the biblical apostles. Apostles and are the foundation of the church, with Jesus as the chief cornerstone. The Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith, mentions apostles: "We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."
Sahabah refers to the companions, disciples, scribes and family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Later scholars accepted their testimony of the words and deeds of Muhammad, the occasions on which the Qur'an was revealed and various important matters of Muslim history and practice.
These individuals played a vital role in the development of Bahá'u'lláh's Faith, consolidating its adherents and bringing its teachings around the world. To Baháʼís, they filled a similar role as the sons of Jacob, the Twelve Apostles, Sahaba, or the Báb's Letters of the Living.
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