The state, condition, or rank of being an apostle; the period during which someone served as an apostle.
From apostle + -hood (a suffix meaning state or condition, from Old English had). The apostles were the twelve disciples of Jesus, and apostlehood describes the status or era of their ministry.
Apostlehood has a unique challenge: most people agree who the 12 main apostles were, but Christianity has debated whether people like Paul or even women like Junia were 'true apostles'—so apostlehood became theologically and socially loaded in ways that other '-hoods' never were.
Apostlehood historically excluded women despite documented female apostles and disciples in early Christian texts. Church institutional structures formalized male-only apostolic succession from ~3rd century onward, erasing women's leadership roles.
Use 'apostolic leadership' or 'apostolic role' when gender-neutral reference is intended. Specify 'apostleship' for historical accuracy to women who held apostolic authority.
["apostolic leadership","apostolic role","apostolic authority"]
Women like Junia, Phoebe, Priscilla, and Mary Magdalene exercised apostolic functions in early Christianity; 'apostlehood' language should not assume male default.
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