With reference to Jesus, are the terms "disciple" and "apostle" interchangeable, and if not, what is the distinction between the two?

mochyn

All the disciples were chosen to be Apostles by Jesus but after JUDAS died Mattias was chosen by drawing lots.Later more people were called apostles notably saul/paul,they were choSen to spread the word of GOD Oct 02 03, 4:41 PM

Stew54

I think that might be the difference, if there is one. Followers generally are referred to as disciples, but those who are asked to go out into the world and found churches are also referred to as apostles. Having said that, at the beginning of Matthew 10 the same 12 individuals are called both apostles and disciples in consecutive verses. Oct 02 03, 4:55 PM

Hamlet.

Though disciples of Jesus are mentioned in both the gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, the meaning is different. In the Acts practically all the faithful are called disciples of Jesus (Acts 6:1,2; 9:1; 19,26; 13:52, etc.). In the gospels the disciples are those who "follow Jesus," a phrase which suggests a constant following of the Lord, a sharing in his lot and condition of life. The synoptic gospels and Acts (with the exception of Acts 14:4,14 where Paul and Barnabas are called apostles) reserve the title of apostle to the group of the Twelve. John does not use the word apostle but nevertheless has the same notion of the position of the Twelve in relationship to Jesus and before the world. Oct 02 03, 7:02 PM

mibmob

Disciples means they were taught by Jesus and refers to masses of his followers. Apostles comes from the greek to send out and refers to the 12 who were sent out after pentecost to srpead the Word. Oct 03 03, 8:05 AM