Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - apostle

 noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Old English; Anglo-French ~ & Old English apostol, both from Late Latin apostolus, from Greek apostolos, from apostellein to send away, from apo- + stellein to send  Date: before 12th century  1. one sent on a mission: as  a. one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paul  b. the first prominent Christian missionary to a region or group  2.  a. a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system  b. an ardent supporter ; adherent  3. the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations  4. one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men  • ~ship noun