Are You An Apostle Or A Disciple?

Yesterday (Thursday) in our bible study group at the Falmouth Hospital the subject of who and what is an apostle came up. Are there only twelve Apostles or can other people be apostles? Can the word disciple be used interchangeably with apostle? To state a conclusion before the discussion, suffice it to say that, all apostles are disciples, but not all disciples are apostles.

Normally we think of the twelve disciples of Jesus when we say who were the Apostles. That happens to be today’s gospel from Mark, “He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles.” Then he says why he calls them apostles, that He might “send them forth to preach.” And that is the meaning of the term apostle, people who are sent for some purpose. In contrast, a disciple is one who learns from a teacher, who is a student. Before one becomes an apostle, you must be a disciple.

If you noticed, I used capital “A” for the twelve disciples Jesus chose and a small “a” when talking
about those outside of the twelve. Paul is usually also called an Apostle with a large “A” because he called himself an apostle to the Gentiles. Another person who is often called an Apostle is Mary Magdalene. In fact she is called the “Apostle to the Apostles”, but that is a story for another blog or one you might be interested in looking up.

So, are you or can you be an apostle?

 Jesus says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19-20). He says this to his Apostles but he also says it to us. Through Baptism we are born from above into the Body of Christ and therefore we are called to be sent forth and tell all nations that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and the He died for our sins that we might have eternal life. So, in effect, we are called to be apostles, but more importantly, we have to be disciples first and be a student of the message of Jesus. As the Baltimore Catechism says “God made me to know, love, and serve Him and to share with him everlasting happiness in heaven.” First we have to know Him, then once we know Him we can love Him, and once we love Him we have to serve Him by spreading the Good News.

Are you an apostle or a disciple?

Deacon Greg Beckel