Hi, Patrick —

Thanks for the question:

That's actually a very good question.

The word disciple means, follower, student, literally it translates learner. This is where we get the word discipline from.

The word Apostle means one who has been sent.

Therefore the Twelve Apostles were obviously disciples, but not all disciples were Apostles. They had to be students and followers before they could be sent. That's why the Scriptures will sometimes refer to the Apostles as disciples as well.

Jesus had many more disciples than Apostles. We know of the Twelve Apostles. Some might argue that the 72 disciples who were sent out to preach by Jesus were also Apostles, but they were not part of the inner circle of twelve.

Jesus did create a hierarchy in His ministry and it didn't just consist of twelve guys walking around with Him. There are some obscure verses in the Gospels that talk about the women that followed them around, who also worked, making goods to sell and support the ministry. Other disciples didn't follow Him around but gave Him a place to stay when traveling — for example Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They would also most likely have given financial support to His Ministry.

Jesus pretty much ran His ministry in a very natural way. Of course He performed miracles, healed the sick, cast out demons, etc. He also sent out the twelve and later the 72 disciples to do the same thing. We see in the Gospels that they did indeed go preach, heal the sick, cast out demons, and they rejoiced about it, so they, too, went forth with the authority of Christ and in the Power of the Holy Spirit — and being sent by Jesus, they were called Apostles.

In addition, there were a lot of others. Some were just followers who tagged along learning and discerning. Others were very practical members of the ministry. Women played particular roles. What I'm trying to say is that this operation had quite a support staff. It's there in Scripture if you look for it. It's not a huge theological truth but it's important to know that Jesus ran His earthly ministry as man would. He wasn't constantly whipping up miraculous meals of fish and barley loaves for (13) thirteen guys to eat. It's important to know, because it means He had a much larger organization than people would imagine.

I suppose we could say that anyone involved was a disciple. Obviously, they believed in the ministry or they wouldn't being following Him around for three years but the Apostles were a select few.

As I said, you could possibly call the 72 disciples, Apostles as well, but there were only Twelve in the inner circle. If you look closer, you'll see that out of the Twelve there were three:

1. Peter
2. James, and
3. John, who were the closest.

John, is said to be the closest in terms of friendship — but Peter was recognized as being the chief among the Twelve.

John

Patrick,

The word disciple means one who learns from and follows, and the word Apostle means one who is sent. An Apostle is a special kind of disciple who learns from Jesus and is sent on a mission.

Generally speaking, you could say that we become disciples at our Baptism and Apostles at our Confirmation. One's mission can be as simple as one's family, friends, or co-workers.

In Scripture, we see the Twelve as the Apostles handpicked by Jesus to continue His mission and ministry after He has ascended into Heaven. Twelve has significance in summing up the twelve tribes of Israel signifying that the Apostles are priests of the new Temple (the Church) in a New Covenant with God established by the sacrifice of His Son.

We all become members of His Body and Temple at Baptism.

Paul