apoˈstolical, a. and n.
[a. OFr. apostolical (13th c.), f. as prec. + -al1.]
A. adj.
1. Connected with or relating to the apostles, or to what is apostolic; conformable to, or derived from, apostolic manner, usage, or institution. apostolical succession (Eccl.), an uninterrupted transmission of spiritual authority through a succession of bishops from the apostles downward.
| 1577 tr. Bullinger's Decades Introd., A..preaching of the Euangelical and Apostolicall truth. 1616 R. C. Times' Whistle iv. 1595 Some think he was not Apostolicall, But alwaies in his heart papisticall. 1836 Edin. Rev. LXIII. 44 Their watch⁓word, Apostolical Succession. 1840 Macaulay Ranke's Hist., Ess. II. 142 Hearers who sleep very composedly while the rector preaches on the apostolical succession. |
2. Of the Apostolic See.
| 1546 Langley Pol. Verg. De Invent. viii. ii. 145/1 Suche thynges as belong to the Apostolicall penitencers Benet the XII. deuised first. 1864 Burton Scot Abr. II. i. 101 The office of Apostolical Secretary under two successive pontiffs. |
3. Formerly (and still sometimes) = apostolic.
| 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Matt. xiv. (R.) The Apostolycall men..shuld purpose nothyng vnto them whiche they had not receiued of Christ. a 1568 Coverdale Hope of Faithf. xiv. Wks. II. 168 The article in the holy apostolical creed. 1704 Nelson Fest. & Fasts i. (1739) 19 The Apostolical Institution of the Lord's Day. 1751 Jortin Eccl. Hist. I. 35 The authors called Apostolical, as Clemens, Hermas, Barnabas, Ignatius. |
B. n. One who maintains the doctrine of ‘apostolical succession.’
| 1839 Sara Coleridge Mem. I. 223 On some points I think the apostolicals quite right, on others clearly unscriptural. |