TEXT:"AND Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,"-Acts 9:1

A disciple is a person who believes in and follows the teachings of a religious or a political leader. Therefore, the disciples of the Lord are persons who believe in and follow the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. From the disciples, the apostles were chosen, Luke 6:12-16. I shall discuss one of Jesus' disciples, and one of his apostles.

The disciple I shall discuss about is Stephen. He was one of the seven men that was chosen to oversee the business of the daily ministration. He was of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. He was also full of faith and power, he did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Consequently, there arose certain of the synagogue, which were called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with him. And when they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke, they persuaded the people of the Jews and set up false witnesses, and accused him of blasphemy, and then brought him to the high priest.

In the presence of the high priest and the council, he was given what to say by the Spirit of his Father who spoke through him, Matthew 10:17-21. However, it got to a point, Acts 7:50-53, when the people could not take it any longer, they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being filled with the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. The Jesus standing, was expecting to receive him into heaven.

But, the people cried with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him. And to fulfill the commands of Jesus to pray for your enemies, Matthew 5:43-45. Stephen prayed for his murderers, Acts 7:59, 60; Luke 23:34.

The other disciples I shall discuss is the apostle Simon Peter. He was the brother of Andrew. God the Father revealed the identity of his Son Jesus Christ to him. And the Church of Jesus Christ was built upon the rock of Peter's confession, Matthew 16:16-20. Although, he allowed the devil to use him, first to be an obstacle to Jesus' ministry, Matthew 16:21-23. And second, he denied the Lord, Mark 14:66-72.

Moreover, when he was filled with the Holy Ghost, he preached a message and about three thousand souls gladly received the word, were baptized, and were added to the church, Acts 2:41-47. At other time, he with John, preached again and another five thousand men believed, Acts 4:1-4. He was the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles, Acts 10. Although, at other times he made mistakes, John 18:10, 11; Galatians 2:11-14. Nevertheless, Jesus prayed for him, Luke 22:31, 32.

In summary, one paramount feature of the disciples we've discussed is the filling of the Holy Ghost, who empowers them to be witnesses for the Lord, Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8. Let us therefore, as today's disciples of Jesus Christ, be filled with the Holy Ghost, so that we can also be witnesses for the Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Pastor K. C.