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apostle
apostle From the Greek apostolos, meaning one who is sent and enjoys the authority of the agent who instructs him. There was already a Jewish functionary, called a shaliach, who was trusted with the authority of his employer when taking messages. Thus, in the NT the apostles bear witness to the message of Jesus and continue his work.
The twelve disciples in the gospels are called ‘apostles’ by Luke (6: 13; 22: 14; Acts 1: 2) and apparently by Paul (1 Cor. 15: 7) and only once each by Matt. 10: 2 and Mark 6.30); though the names vary slightly, the list is always of twelve, signifying that they are the leaders of an elect race, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel. The betrayal of Jesus by Judas created a vacancy in the number, and Matthias was elected to fill it. Subsequent deaths did not create vacancies, for in Luke's view apostles are unique. Yet the office was soon expanded to embrace Paul (unless it is Luke who was responsible for restricting a broader title to the twelve disciples), who claims the title on the basis of his vision of the Risen Christ (1 Cor. 15: 8) and his commissioning to go to the Gentiles. A kind of second rank of apostles apparently included Barnabas (Acts 14: 14) and Junia (Rom. 16: 7—the latter name is feminine) and cf. 2 Pet. 3: 2. The names of the Twelve are: Simon Peter, James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael?), Matthew (Levi?), Thomas, James the Less, Thaddaeus (Judas the son of James?), Simon the Cananean or Zealot; and Judas Iscariot—afterwards succeeded by Matthias. |
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W. R. F. BROWNING. "apostle." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. W. R. F. BROWNING. "apostle." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-apostle.html W. R. F. BROWNING. "apostle." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-apostle.html |
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Apostle
Apostle each of the twelve chief disciples of Jesus Christ. The twelve Apostles were Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (the Less), Judas (or Thaddaeus), Simon, and Judas Iscariot. After the suicide of Judas Iscariot his place was taken by Matthias.
The term is also applied to any important early Christian teacher, especially St Paul, and to the first successful Christian missionary in a country or to a people. Thus St Boniface is known as the Apostle of Germany, St James the Great as the Apostle of Spain, St Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, St Francis Xavier, the Apostle of the Indies, and St Cyril and St Methodius, the Apostles of the Slavs. Apostle also denotes a member of an exclusive society in the University of Cambridge (officially ‘The Cambridge Conversazione Society’) formed in Cambridge in 1820, for the purpose of friendship and formal discussion. Members are elected for life. Recorded from Old English (in form apostol) the word comes via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek apostolos ‘messenger’, from apostellein ‘send forth’. Apostle spoon a teaspoon with the figure of an Apostle or saint on the handle. Apostles' Creed is a statement of Christian belief used in the Western Church, dating from the 4th century and traditionally ascribed to the twelve Apostles. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Apostle." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Apostle." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Apostle.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Apostle." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Apostle.html |
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Apostle
Apostle.
1. A title given in the early Church to some of its leaders (1 Cor. 12: 28), especially missionaries, and at Heb. 3: 1 to Christ Himself. The origin and significance of the term is disputed, but some reference to being sent (Gk. ἀποστέλλω, ‘I send’) is certain. St Paul claimed the title for himself (Rom. 1: 1 etc.) on the basis of a commission from the Risen Christ, and used it of others, including St James, the Lord's Brother (Gal. 1: 19). It is used, most often by St Luke, of the twelve disciples whose names are recorded in Mk. 3: 14–19, Mt. 10: 2–4, and Lk. 6: 13–16, the slight variations perhaps indicating uncertainty rather than fluctuating membership of the group or different names for the same person. The title later came to be restricted to the twelve. In modern usage the term is sometimes applied to the leader of the first Christian mission to a country, e.g. St Patrick, the ‘Apostle of Ireland’. See also APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION. 2. A name given to the Epistle read at the Eucharist in the E.Church. 3. An official of the Catholic Apostolic Church. |
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Apostle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Apostle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-Apostle.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Apostle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-Apostle.html |
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apostle
apostle [Gr.,=envoy], one of the prime missionaries of Christianity. The apostles of the first rank are saints Peter , Andrew , James (the Greater), John , Thomas , James (the Less), Jude (or Thaddaeus), Philip , Bartholomew , Matthew , Simon , and Matthias (replacing Judas Iscariot ). Traditionally the list of the Twelve Disciples includes Judas and not Matthias, and the list of the Twelve Apostles includes Matthias and not Judas. St. Paul is always classed as an apostle, and so sometimes are a few others, such as St. Barnabas . The principal missionary to any country is often called its apostle, e.g., St. Patrick is the apostle of Ireland, and St. Augustine of Canterbury the apostle of England. For the Apostles' Creed, see creed ; for the Teaching of the Apostles, see Didache ; for the earliest account of their activities, see Acts of the Apostles .
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"apostle." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "apostle." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-apostle.html "apostle." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-apostle.html |
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apostle
a·pos·tle / əˈpäsəl/ • n. (often Apostle) each of the twelve chief disciples of Jesus Christ. ∎ any important early Christian teacher, esp. St. Paul. ∎ (Apostle of) the first successful Christian missionary in a country or to a people: Kiril and Metodije, the Apostles of the Slavs. ∎ a vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular policy, idea, or cause. ∎ a messenger or representative: apostles of doom. ∎ one of the twelve administrative officers of the Mormon church. DERIVATIVES: a·pos·tle·ship / -ˌship/ n. |
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"apostle." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "apostle." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-apostle.html "apostle." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-apostle.html |
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Apostle
Apostle Missionary sent out and empowered by divine authority to preach the gospel and heal the sick. Jesus commissioned his 12 original disciples to carry out the purpose of God for man's salvation (Mark 3, Matthew 10, Luke 6). The first qualification for being an apostle was to have “seen the Lord”. The 12 disciples thus became the first and original Apostles. The term is also applied in the New Testament to St Paul. In modern usage, it is sometimes given to the leader of the first Christian mission to a country. For example, Saint Patrick is described as the “Apostle of Ireland”.
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"Apostle." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Apostle." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Apostle.html "Apostle." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Apostle.html |
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Apostles, the
Apostles, the, an exclusive intellectual society formed in Cambridge in 1820, for the purpose of friendship and formal discussion. During the 19th-cent. members included A. Hallam, Tennyson, Milnes, and R. C. Trench, and the 20th cent. saw a new age of brilliance, largely inspired by the influence of G. E. Moore, with members such as Keynes, Strachey, B. Russell, L. Woolf, and E. M. Forster. Members are elected for life.
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MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Apostles, the." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Apostles, the." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-Apostlesthe.html MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Apostles, the." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-Apostlesthe.html |
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Apostle
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JOHN BOWKER. "Apostle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Apostle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Apostle.html JOHN BOWKER. "Apostle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Apostle.html |
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apostle
apostle OE. apostol, ME. apostel — ecclL. apostolus — Gr. apóstolos one sent forth, f. apostéllein, f. APO- + stéllein place, make ready; the early forms were reinforced or superseded by adoption of OF. apostle (mod. apôtre).
So apostolic XII, apostolical XV. |
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T. F. HOAD. "apostle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "apostle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-apostle.html T. F. HOAD. "apostle." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-apostle.html |
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Apostles, The
Apostles, The. Oratorio by Elgar, Op.49, text compiled by Elgar from the Bible and other sources. Comp. 1901–3. For 6 soloists, ch., and orch. (F.p. Birmingham 1903, NY, London, and Cologne 1904.) See Kingdom, The.
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MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "Apostles, The." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "Apostles, The." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-ApostlesThe.html MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "Apostles, The." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-ApostlesThe.html |
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apostle
apostle
•hassle, Kassel, passel, tassel, vassal
•axel, axle
•cancel, hansel, Hänsel, Mansell
•transaxle
•castle, metatarsal, parcel, tarsal
•chancel • sandcastle • Newcastle
•Bessel, nestle, pestle, redressal, trestle, vessel, wrestle
•Edsel • Texel
•intercensal, pencil, stencil
•pretzel • staysail • mainsail • Wiesel
•abyssal, bristle, epistle, gristle, missal, scissel, thistle, whistle
•pixel • plimsoll
•tinsel, windsail
•schnitzel, spritsail
•Birtwistle
•paradisal, sisal, trysail
•apostle, colossal, dossal, fossil, glossal, jostle, throstle
•consul, proconsul, tonsil
•dorsal, morsel
•council, counsel, groundsel
•Mosul • fo'c's'le, forecastle
•bustle, hustle, muscle, mussel, Russell, rustle, tussle
•gunsel • corpuscle
•disbursal, dispersal, Purcell, rehearsal, reversal, succursal, tercel, transversal, traversal, universal
•Herzl
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"apostle." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "apostle." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-apostle.html "apostle." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-apostle.html |
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