<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>any of the early followers of Jesus who carried the Christian message into the world: Not all of Jesus’ followers named in the New Testament are considered apostles, but Paul, Barnabas, and Mary Magdalene certainly meet the criteria.</li><li>Sometimes Apostle. In the Bible, any of the original 12 disciples called by Jesus to preach the gospel: Simon Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot.</li><li>the first or the best-known Christian missionary in any region or country. St. Patrick and Palladius have both been dubbed “the apostle of Ireland.”</li><li>Eastern Church: one of the 70 disciples of Jesus.</li><li>the title of the highest ecclesiastical official in certain Protestant sects.</li><li>one of the 12 administrative officials of the Mormon Church.</li><li>a pioneer of any new system or cause, especially an early leader in a reform movement: He has emerged as an apostle of a new era of peace and national unity.</li><li>a loyal supporter or follower: Our company’s apostles are motivated by the service they can render for the good of the organization.</li><li>Nautical: a knighthead, especially one having its top projecting and used as a bitt or bollard.</li></ul>