1. apostolic(a = adj.pert) apostolical - of or relating to or deriving from the Apostles or their teachings;
Derived forms noun apostle3, noun apostle2
2. apostolic(a = adj.pert) apostolical, papal, pontifical - proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles; "papal dispensation"
1. Pertaining to an apostle, or to the apostles, their times, or their peculiar spirit; as, an apostolical mission; the apostolic age. [1913 Webster]
2. According to the doctrines of the apostles; delivered or taught by the apostles; as, apostolic faith or practice. [1913 Webster]
3. Of or pertaining to the pope or the papacy; papal. [1913 Webster]
A member of one of certain ascetic sects which at various times professed to imitate the practice of the apostles. [1913 Webster]
apostolic, adj.
1 of or relating to the Apostles.
2 of the Pope regarded as the successor of St Peter.
3 of the character of an Apostle.
Idiom:
Apostolic Fathers the Christian leaders immediately succeeding the Apostles. apostolic succession the uninterrupted transmission of spiritual authority from the Apostles through successive popes and bishops.
Etymology:
F apostolique or eccl.L apostolicus f. Gk apostolikos (as APOSTLE)
N Judeo-christian revelation, revelation, inspiration, afflatus, theophany, theopneusty, Word, Word of God, Scripture, the Scriptures, the Bible, Holy Writ, Holy Scriptures, inspired writings, Gospel, Old Testament, Septuagint, Vulgate, Pentateuch, Octateuch, the Law, the Jewish Law, the Prophets, major Prophets, minor Prophets, Hagiographa, Hagiology, Hierographa, Apocrypha, New Testament, Gospels, Evangelists, Acts, Epistles, Apocalypse, Revelations, Talmud, Mishna, Masorah, prophet, evangelist, apostle, disciple, saint, the Fathers, the Apostolical Fathers, Holy Men of old, inspired penmen, scriptural, biblical, sacred, prophetic, evangelical, evangelistic, apostolic, apostolical, inspired, theopneustic, theophneusted, apocalyptic, ecclesiastical, canonical, textuary.
N church, churchdom, ministry, apostleship, priesthood, prelacy, hierarch, church government, christendom, pale of the church, clericalism, sacerdotalism, episcopalianism, ultramontanism, theocracy, ecclesiology, ecclesiologist, priestcraft, odium theologicum, monachism, monachy, monasticism, monkhood, pontificate, primacy, archbishopric, archiepiscopacy, prelacy, bishopric, bishopdom, episcopate, episcopacy, see, diocese, deanery, stall, canonry, canonicate, prebend, prebendaryship, benefice, incumbency, glebe, advowson, living, cure, rectorship, vicariate, vicarship, deaconry, deaconship, curacy, chaplain, chaplaincy, chaplainship, cardinalate, cardinalship, abbacy, presbytery, holy orders, ordination, institution, consecration, induction, reading in, preferment, translation, presentation, popedom, the Vatican, the apostolic see, religious sects, council, conclave, convocation, synod, consistory, chapter, vestry, sanhedrim, conge d'elire, ecclesiastical courts, consistorial court, court of Arches, ecclesiastical, ecclesiological, clerical, sacerdotal, priestly, prelatical, pastoral, ministerial, capitular, theocratic, hierarchical, archiepiscopal, episcopal, episcopalian, canonical, monastic, monachal, monkish, abbatial, abbatical, Anglican, pontifical, papal, apostolic, Roman, Popish, ultramontane, priest-ridden.
apostolic delegate, armenian apostolic orthodox church, vicar apostolic