Disciple Defined

• The Greek word for disciple literally means "student." In Latin, too, the same root word "discipulus" means "student."
  
  

Apostle Defined

• The Greek word for apostle means "messenger" or "sent one."
  
  

Function

• Biblically, a disciple was one who was a student or follower of Christ. The twelve apostles--the twelve men Jesus called specifically to travel with and learn from him--were originally disciples (followers) who were later sent out as messengers, thus becoming the first apostles.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Sometimes the words disciple and apostle are used interchangeably as people do not recognize the different purposes for each role.
  
  

Considerations

• All apostles must first be disciples. To be sent out as a messenger one must first have been a student. Not all of Jesus' followers, though, were apostles since He did not send as preachers everyone who believed in His teaching.