What’s the difference between a disciple and an apostle?

In the Nicene Creed, we confess these words, “We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.” Have you ever wondered what, exactly, makes the church apostolic?

Or perhaps you’ve noticed that the New Testament speaks of both disciples and apostles and wondered, Are they the same, or is there a difference? It’s a good question and one that opens the door to a deeper appreciation of Christ’s church and your place in it.

Definitions of the words

The best place to begin is with definitions. The Greek word translated “disciple” is mathètès, meaning “a learner” or “student.” During Jesus’ earthly ministry, disciples were those who followed him, listening to his teaching, learning from his example, and striving to live according to his Word. In that sense, many people were disciples. Some followed closely. Others followed from a distance. But all were, at heart, learners of Christ.

The word apostle, however, carries a more specific meaning. The Greek word apostolos means “one who is sent.” Apostles were not only learners, but they also were chosen, commissioned, and sent by Jesus with a unique authority. They were entrusted to proclaim the gospel publicly and, at times, to confirm that message through miracles.

The apostles and their calling

The New Testament often refers to a special group of followers simply as the Twelve (Matthew 26:14, John 6:67; 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:5). These were the men personally called by Jesus as his apostles. The list includes Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the Less, Simon the Zealot, Jude, and Judas Iscariot.

After Judas’ betrayal and death, another was chosen to take his place. In Acts chapter 1, we see how carefully the early believers approached this responsibility. Peter gave a list of qualifications to serve in the apostolic ministry. The replacement had to be someone who had been with Jesus from the time of John’s baptism through the Lord’s ascension and who could testify as a witness to the resurrection. Two men were proposed, and after prayer, the lot fell to Matthias. This prayerful process underscores an important truth about the apostolic ministry: Apostles were not self-appointed. They were chosen according to Christ’s will and equipped for a foundational role in the church.

Christ chose one more apostle: Paul. Though not among the original Twelve, Paul was personally called by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. His apostleship also bore the marks of divine commissioning. In Galatians 1:11-24, Paul emphasized that his message did not come from human sources but through revelation from Jesus Christ. In defense of his apostleship that was being questioned by false teachers, Paul explained how his apostolic ministry was accompanied by signs and wonders (2 Corinthians 12:12) and was recognized by the leaders of the early church (Galatians 2:9). In his letters, Paul even points to the believers themselves as evidence, “the seal,” of his apostleship (1 Corinthians 9:2).

The apostles had unique and unrepeatable tasks: to serve as eyewitnesses of the risen Christ and to lay the foundation of the New Testament church through their preaching and writing. As many faithful teachers have noted, this apostolic age came to an end with the death of the last apostle, traditionally understood to be John, near the close of the first century.

So, are there apostles today? Not in that original sense. No one today meets the qualifications of having personally accompanied Jesus during his earthly ministry and witnessed his resurrection in the same way. And yet, the church is still called apostolic. Why? Because it remains built on the apostles’ teaching. Their message—preserved for us in Holy Scripture—continues to be the foundation upon which Christ builds his church. As Scripture reminds us, the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).

A new name but the same mission

After Jesus’ ascension, something interesting happened. His followers began to be called by a new name. In Acts 11:26, we are told that in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. While the name may have changed, the calling has not. Christians are still disciples—learners of Christ—who hear his Word, trust his promises, and seek to live according to his will. As Jesus himself said, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29).

But there is more. Although the office of apostle was unique and the age of the apostles has ended, their work has not. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave what we often call the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them . . . and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). This mission extends to the entire church—across generations and across the world. What this means is that even though believers are not apostles in the original sense, they are called to carry the apostolic message. They proclaim the same gospel. They teach the same truth. They point to the same Savior.

Even though believers are not apostles in the original sense, they are called to carry the apostolic message.

This is what it means to confess “one holy Christian and apostolic Church.” It is one church, united in Christ. It is holy, set apart by his grace. It is Christian, centered on him. And it is apostolic, grounded in the message first proclaimed by those he sent.

So what’s the difference between a disciple and an apostle? Every believer is a disciple of Christ—a learner who follows him in faith. But only a select few were apostles, personally sent by Christ with a unique authority to establish the early church.

But an even more important question than “What’s the difference between a disciple and an apostle?” is “Do you believe that Jesus is your Savior?” If so, you are a disciple of Christ and part of something much larger than yourself. You are part of the very church built on the apostles’ foundation. You are entrusted with the same life-giving gospel they proclaimed: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). That was the apostles’ message. It is still the church’s message. And by God’s grace, it is yours to believe—and to share.

Author: Bruce McKenney
Volume 113, Number 06
Issue: June 2026