Apostles' creed

Apostles' creed
Apostle A*pos"tle, n. [OE. apostle, apostel, postle, AS. apostol, L. apostolus, fr. Gr. ? messenger, one sent forth or away, fr. ? to send off or away; ? from + ? to send; akin to G. stellen to set, E. stall: cf. F. ap[^o]tre, Of. apostre, apostle, apostele, apostole.] 1. Literally: One sent forth; a messenger. Specifically: One of the twelve disciples of Christ, specially chosen as his companions and witnesses, and sent forth to preach the gospel. [1913 Webster]

He called unto him his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles. --Luke vi. 13. [1913 Webster]

Note: The title of apostle is also applied to others, who, though not of the number of the Twelve, yet were equal with them in office and dignity; as, ``Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.'' --1 Cor. i. 1. In --Heb. iii. 1, the name is given to Christ himself, as having been sent from heaven to publish the gospel. In the primitive church, other ministers were called apostles --(Rom. xvi. 7). [1913 Webster]

2. The missionary who first plants the Christian faith in any part of the world; also, one who initiates any great moral reform, or first advocates any important belief; one who has extraordinary success as a missionary or reformer; as, Dionysius of Corinth is called the apostle of France, John Eliot the apostle to the Indians, Theobald Mathew the apostle of temperance. [1913 Webster]

3. (Civ. & Admiralty Law) A brief letter dimissory sent by a court appealed from to the superior court, stating the case, etc.; a paper sent up on appeals in the admiralty courts. --Wharton. Burrill. [1913 Webster]

{Apostles' creed}, a creed of unknown origin, which was formerly ascribed to the apostles. It certainly dates back to the beginning of the sixth century, and some assert that it can be found in the writings of Ambrose in the fourth century.

{Apostle spoon} (Antiq.), a spoon of silver, with the handle terminating in the figure of an apostle. One or more were offered by sponsors at baptism as a present to the godchild. --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Apostles' Creed — • A formula containing in brief statements, or articles, the fundamental tenets of Christian belief, and having for its authors, according to tradition, the Twelve Apostles Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Apostles Creed      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Apostles' creed — Creed Creed (kr[=e]d), n. [OE. credo, crede, AS. creda, fr. L. credo I believe, at the beginning of the Apostles creed, fr. credere to believe; akin to OIr. cretim I believe, and Skr. [,c]raddadh[=a]mi; [,c]rat trust + dh[=a] to put. See {Do}, v …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Apostles' Creed — n. an ancient Christian statement of belief traditionally attributed to the Twelve Apostles: it begins, “I believe in God, the Father Almighty . . . .” …   English World dictionary

  • Apostles' Creed — Apostles Creed, the a statement of religious belief in the Christian religion, beginning I believe in God the Father Almighty …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Apostles' Creed — The Apostles Creed (Latin: Symbolum Apostolorum or Symbolum Apostolicum), sometimes titled Symbol of the Apostles, is an early statement of Christian belief, a creed or symbol .[1] It is widely used by a number of Christian denominations for both …   Wikipedia

  • Apostles' Creed —    The shorter form of the Creed as set forth in the Prayer Book is called the Apostles Creed because it was generally believed to have been composed by the Apostles themselves before they separated and left Jerusalem. However true or untrue this …   American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

  • Apostles' Creed — a creed, dating back to about A.D. 400, traditionally ascribed to Christ s apostles and having widespread acceptance in the Christian church. It begins I believe in God the Father Almighty. * * * ▪ Christianity also called  Apostolicum,         a …   Universalium

  • Apostles' Creed —    This term (from the Greek apostolos, meaning messenger, and the Latin credo, meaning I believe ) is aprofession of faith or statement of Christian belief; the Apostles Creed developed from the baptismal creed of the ancientchurch of Rome and… …   Glossary of theological terms

  • Apostles'Creed — A·pos·tles Creed (ə pŏsʹəlz) n. A Christian creed traditionally ascribed to the 12 Apostles and used typically in public worship services in the West. * * * …   Universalium

  • Apostles' Creed — Apos′tles Creed′ n. rel a creed dating from about a.d. 500, traditionally ascribed to Christ s apostles and beginning with “I believe in God the Father Almighty.” …   From formal English to slang

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