Definition of "apostolic" []

• Of or relating to an apostle. (adjective)
• Of, relating to, or contemporary with the 12 Apostles. (adjective)
• Of, relating to, or derived from the teaching or practice of the 12 Apostles. (adjective)
• Of or relating to a succession of spiritual authority from the 12 Apostles, regarded by Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some others to have been perpetuated by successive ordinations of bishops and to be requisite for valid orders and administration of sacraments. (adjective)
• Roman Catholic Church Of or relating to the pope as the successor of Saint Peter; papal. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "“An established religion is certainly desirable,” said Atherton, “and I am inclined to believe, that those who fled from persecution, and have here founded a church on what you term apostolic principles, would be as severe towards those of different modes and opinions, and as much influenced by prejudice, as the church of England has ever been, in regard to her dissenting children.”"
• "In His letter the Pope has presented in unambiguous terms the apostolic nature of the Church, which is always to be led by the bishops, the successors of the Apostles, in communion with the Pope, the successor of Peter, the head of the Apostles."
• "Like any politician, the institution of education claims direct descent in apostolic succession from the Founding Fathers. — from The Graves of Academe"