apostleship

• Amt oder Sendung eines Apostels; die missionarische Tätigkeit eines der zwölf Jünger Christi oder eines frühchristlichen Verkünders.

The office, position, or status of an apostle; the mission and duties associated with being one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus Christ or a pioneering missionary of the early Christian Church.

1. The divinely appointed office and authority held by the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.C2formal

   The sacred commission and spiritual authority bestowed upon the twelve individuals chosen by Jesus to preach the Gospel, perform baptisms, and establish the foundations of the Church, regarded as unique and foundational.

   Das heilige Amt und die Vollmacht der zwölf Apostel, von Jesus Christus erwählt.

   • The Acts of the Apostles describes the early church functioning under the authority of the group holding the apostolic office.
   • Theologians debate whether the original commission of the Twelve can be transmitted to successors.
   • St. Peter's role within the apostolic ministry was unique, according to Catholic doctrine.
   • The letters of St. Paul vigorously defend his claim to the same divinely instituted position.
   • The fellowship of the Twelve was a clear sign of the special calling they shared.

2. The vocation and mission of a pioneering missionary, especially one who first brings Christianity to a region.C2formal

   The calling and life's work of a person who is sent to preach the faith in new territories, often enduring hardship; used more broadly for any zealous early promoter of a cause.

   Apostolat: Sendung und Berufung eines Pioniermissionars

   • St. Patrick's missionary calling to Ireland became legendary.
   • The history of the Church is filled with accounts of individuals who undertook the task of going into unreached lands.
   • He felt a strong inner conviction to accept the role of being sent to distant shores.
   • Accounts of the pioneering preachers in Africa detail the immense challenges of that commission.
   • Her selfless dedication to the poor mirrored the commitment of the early spreaders of the faith.

   Synonymecallingministrymissionvocation