Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
apostle (noun)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
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
apostle (noun)a person who actively supports or favors a cause
SYNONIMS:
advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion, expounder, espouser, friend, gospeler ( gospeller), herald, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, supporter, true believer, tub-thumper, white knightRELATED WORDS:
loyalist, partisan ( partizan), stalwart; adherent, cohort, disciple, follower; interpreter; applauder, cheerleader, encourager, fellow travelerNEAR ANTONYMS:
enemy, foe, rival; belittler, critic, faultfinder