What is the "apostle" in Christianity and not only

The New Testament often mentions the word "apostle" in different variations. Usually this term occurs in the life of Jesus Christ. What is an apostle, the definition of the meaning of this term you will learn from the article.

The First Christians

The followers of the Christian teaching knew perfectly well what the apostle was in ancient Rome. The definition of this word is difficult to understand if you do not know the history of early Christianity. The ideas of the Christian world were absolutely new among the adherents of the traditional religions of the time. The inhabitants of the Roman Empire lived in three parts of the world - in Europe, Asia and northern Africa, communicated in different languages, had a different upbringing and worldview. Followers of the new religion was not easy. In order to spread the Christian teaching, it was necessary to constantly travel, communicate with new people, spread the new doctrine of God and possess the great gift of persuasion. The first people who dedicated themselves to this activity called themselves apostles.

Explanation of the term

About what the apostle is, you can learn from the translation of this term from the Greek language. Ancient word goes back to ἀπόστολος, which means "ambassador" or "messenger". The first apostles explained that they were messengers of the new doctrine and new faith. They carried the message of the Son of God and the sacrifice to which he went in the name of the people. According to legend, this word was put into circulation by Jesus Christ himself. So he called his closest disciples and followers.

The First Apostles

The Christian church gives a clear definition of what an apostle is. In the New Testament they call those who knew Christ firsthand, helped him and followed his teaching. At first the apostles were the twelve people closest to him who shared the new teaching. After the betrayal of Judah, the ranks of the apostles were replenished with two more faithful followers of the new teaching. So the disciples and the most zealous followers of Christianity became thirteen. There is a separate book of the New Testament, telling about the activities of the apostles after the death of Christ and his resurrection from the dead. They performed many glorious deeds, spread new ideas, but because of the persecution of the authorities, almost all of them died a martyr's death.

Christianity and Rome

At first, the Roman Empire was extremely negative about the new faith. Adherents of Christianity learned at their bitter experience what an apostle is in ancient Rome. Christianity was persecuted, and the followers of the new teaching were subjected to severe persecution. They were forced to hide in the catacombs, whisper, stealthily convey the message of the Savior. No wonder the symbol of the first Christians were fish - as a sign of secrecy and silence.

Despite the oppression, the new teaching continued to expand and involve new and new adherents in its ranks. Soon the apostles accepted into their ranks another 70 believers. This event is described in a separate book of the New Testament, which is called the "Acts of the Apostles". All converts were disciples of Christ and preached a new faith.

History of the word "apostle"

After a while, the Roman authorities recognized the inexpediency of fighting the new religion. Christianity receives state support and becomes official faith. What is the apostle, what this person does and what place he takes in Christianity - already know in the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire. One of the most important books of Christianity is called "The Apostle".
Gradually the word becomes very popular and in some areas becomes a name or even a surname. Among the Eastern Slavs the surname of the Apostle is quite common. The apostle is a well-known dynasty of Ukrainian Cossacks, who gave the country several hetmans. In Russia, there was a noble family of Muravyov-Apostles, known for his participation in the Decembrist movement. In Bulgaria and Serbia this is a fairly common surname. In Greece there is such a name.

In Russian speech, this word can also be used in a figurative sense. Previously, the question "What is an apostle?" Lawyers could answer that this is an appeal. Literary scholars - that the so-called first printed book in Russian, published in the middle of the 17th century. Now the word stands for a staunch supporter of an idea.