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****Disclaimer****
What you are about to read is MY response to a question someone had for me. It may or may not be THE answer. In the event that MY answer is not THE answer, I do hope that some of these insights may be helpful.
The Question
What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?
Perhaps the greatest difference between these two words are their respective functions. Each word seemed to have been generally understood in its time. One word is used to describe the relationship between people. The other word is meant to describe a person's role. Before I define them, I will illustrate the difference within the context of family.
I am a father of four children. I am also their provider. The words 'father' and 'provider' serve two distinctly different descriptive functions. Father is used to identify my relationship to my family. Provider helps to describe part of my role in my family. (Of course, God is the true Father and Provider.)
As the word father defines my relationship to my family, the word disciple is used to define the type of relationship between people. Likewise, the word apostle is an identifier for a persons role within the people of Christ.
The Role - Apostle
Apostle 1: One sent on a mission.
An apostle is generally interpreted to mean, "Ultra spectacular, miracle working, ultimate Christian." However, the word apostle literally means, one who is sent on a mission. The body of Christ still consists of people who are gifted and sent on missions by The Holy Spirit, but we have given them another name. I will let you try and guess what we call them now.
The Relationship - Disciple
The word disciple identifies a very specific kind of relationship. It's kind of like being a follower and a student, but I'm certain entails much more. Whereas the end goal for a student is to learn what the teacher knows, the end for a disciple is to become what the discipler is. Being a disciple of Christ therefore goes far beyond learning what He taught, but involves us becoming like Him.
