What is the difference between Jesus' disciples and apostles?

Answer by  BookMonger (147)

A disciple is a follower or learner, usually refers to a person who heard teaching first hand and became a follower of "the way. " However, any Christian today can be called a disciple. An apostle is an immediate follower who was chosen to go out and spread the new word.

Answer by  Clement (1453)

Traditionally the name "apostle" is reserved for a smaller group of Jesus' followers, namely Peter, Andrew, James the Greater, James the Lesser, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot. Later on Matthias replaced Judas. Saints with a special mission are also known as apostles, e. g. , St. Paul.