Disciple vs Apostle

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Angbaum

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I don’t know why in 30 years of being Catholic I had a hard time with this question. One of my 7th grade CCD students asked if we are deciples are we also apostles. I know an apostle is a teacher or messenger of the word; however I not sure we as Catholics call ourselves an apostle. I cannot find anything on line that answers my question.
 
Apostles- one of the 12 men who Jesus chose to specifically carry out his ministry
Disciple- Anyone who follows Christ and does not fall into the above categorization.
 
Blessings,
I feel, my understanding is, the Apostles were the first 12, including Barnabas, who took over Judas’ job. All else are disciples. We are disciples.
If I’m wrong. We’ll hear about it.
In Christ’s love
Tweedlealice
 
Acts 1:12-26
The 11 remaining Apostles chose between Joseph called Barsabas, (surnamed Justus,) and Matthias. After the lots were cast, Matthias was chosen to take the place of Judas Iscariot.
 
We are all called to be “apostles” in our own way. Becoming a bishop however might prove difficult for the masses, however.
 
Blessings
HMMM Poor Barnabas. I grew up in St. Barnabas parish. I moved him upon the world. Mathias! OK. Didn’t hear much about him.
Thank You
In Christ’s love
Tweedlealice
 
I’m sticking w disciples for all x the Twelve, plus one.
There may be scripture verses that apply. Let me peek. I’m going w 25 years if Catholic schools and 70 yrs of life in Bible Studies and prayer groups.
Be back
In Christ’s love
Tweedlealice
 
Modern Catholic Dictionary:

APOSTLE. A messenger and authorized representative of the sender. Broadly used in Scripture, it refers to many followers of Jesus who spread his message. More precisely, however, it applies to the original twelve men chosen by Jesus to be his immediate aides. They are referred to as disciples during the period in which he was instructing them, but following his ascension they are always called Apostles. After Pentecost they spoke and acted with confidence and assurance in teaching others what he had taught them and in assuming leadership roles in the early church. They were ordained priests by Christ at the Last Supper and were commissioned by him to preach the Gospel to all mankind (Matthew 28:19-20). (Etym. Latin apostolus, an apostle; Greek apostolos, one who is sent off.)

DISCIPLE. One who is learning or has learned. In the New Testament the word describes any follower of Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 10:1). During his public ministry it referred as well to his twelve chosen aides, but in the Acts of the Apostles they are always referred to as Apostles (Acts 1:26). (Etym. Latin discipulus, pupil, follower.)
 
This is really not that difficult to understand. If you apply the teachings of saint Paul.

Where he describes the 5 fold ministry. And its application.
 
Yet here I sit still not sure. So I’ve come to this conclusion. There are still modern day apostles; however just because we teach the works of Christ doesn’t make us one.
 
I think it is not exactly clear. I would say Apostles have authority. And I would say the Apostles were from the foundation of the Church. This would be the original twelve, less Judas, Matthias and Paul. The bishops have authority but they are successors to the Apostles.
 
Angbaum said:
Yet here I sit still not sure. So I’ve come to this conclusion. There are still modern day apostles; however just because we teach the works of Christ doesn’t make us one.
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Right. I would consider the “modern day apostles” to almost all be clergy and religious who are actively involved in evangelization

For example:
  • one might argue that Bishop Barron is an apostle because he is sending the message via the internet, video, books, radio, etc.
  • one might argue that Mother Angelica was a modern day apostle
  • one might argue that Fr. Mitch Pacwa on ETWN is a modern day apostle
  • perhaps a few select lay people might considered “modern day apostles” too, like Dr. Scott Hahn
But the majority of us are disciples, even though we are all called to evangelize

HOWEVER, with all this said, I reserve the title Apostle for the Biblical Apostles, including St. Paul
 
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There is so many contradictions in the Bible most likely due to translation. This was just sent to me, “others of need will never be forgotten as apostles of Love we can have real hope that God will remember to be faithful to us as well…” Hebrews 6:10.
Thoughts?
 
Angbaum said:
There is so many contradictions in the Bible most likely due to translation. This was just sent to me, “others of need will never be forgotten as apostles of Love we can have real hope that God will remember to be faithful to us as well…” Hebrews 6:10.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
The word apostle isn’t capitalized, so it’s not a title. This isn’t a contradiction or translation issue. It’s an issue for modern readers because we have a hard time distinguishing between the office of Apostle vs. the word apostle. Perhaps mainly because, culturally, we tend to reserve the word “apostle” for the “Apostles.”

God Bless
 
I finally got clergy involved with this subject and was told Apostle speaks of the 12, but we all can be apostles.
 
Thank you! Saw this after my last note. I just talked to clergy at my church. Between the two of you I now have an answer for my CCD kids.
 
We are Disciples.

There were only 85 Apostles.

The 12 Apostles, plus the 72 Apostles, plus St. Paul.

(Note in Eastern Christendom the 72 are referred to as Apostles whereas in Western Christendom they are called Disciples.)
 
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I’d recommend reading the section in the Catechism on the Church as “apostolic”:

CCC 857–865

As Deacon Jeff said the bishops are the successors to the apostles, but “apostles” in the strictest sense were those chosen witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection and thus we don’t call bishops “apostles” in the same way.

But, there is a sense in which we all participate in the apostolic mission of the Church (i.e. being sent out to take the Gospel to the world around us).
 
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