According to Webster it is a person who subscribes to the teachings of a master and assists in spreading those teachings. There are several Scriptures in the Bible which describe discipleship and they are:
"If any man will come after me, and let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33)
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed..." (John 8:31)
"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:8)
We know from the Bible that great multitudes followed Jesus, however not all those who followed Jesus became disciples. Not every believer is a true disciple, but we can be sure that every disciple is a true believer. Are you a disciple?
Did the disciples fast?
"Then came to him disciples of John saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?" (Matthew 9:14)
"Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees, but thine eat and drink?" (Luke 5:33)
"And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast." (Mark 2:19)
Because the disciples did not fast, they were unable to cast out a demon from a young boy. The disciples said in Matthew 17:19:, "...Why could not we cast him out?"
Jesus said: "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 17:20-21)
When the Bridegroom departed, we see the disciples on bended knees and fasting. "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, "Separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:2-3)
We also find in the Bible a disciple by the name of Cornelius who prayed and fasted: "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, 'Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God." (Acts 10: 30-31) This man's obedience opened doors for the gospel to be brought by Peter from Joppa (Acts 10:32) and the result was the outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon Cornelius and his household. (Acts 10:44-45)
The Apostle Paul fasted: "In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." (2 Corinthians 11:27) "In stripes, in imprisonment's, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings... (2 Corinthians 6:5) Paul's ministry evolved around prayer and fasting.
Do You Pray and Fast? The early church prayed and fasted! May you be challenged not to be just a believer, but a true disciple, and a disciple that prays and fasts.
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