Acts - the whole New Testament - seems to use the term disciple and apostle almost interchangeably and they basically are. Here is the difference: apostles refers to a small, inner group of Jesus' followers; disciples refers to a larger group of Jesus' followers. You and I would be disciples - students. Apostle is designated for a group of men that either knew Jesus when He was on earth or was commissioned by Him after His Resurrection - one example being Paul who saw Jesus on the road to Damascus.
In this chapter we meet Stephen and Phillip among others to be chosen as disciples. "Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people." v.8 I wanted to quote my commentary that I use on the matter of wonders and signs. " "Wonders" is the amazement people experience when witnessing supernatural works (miracles). "Signs" point to the power of God behind miracles - marvels have no value unless they point to God and His truth. Such works were often done by the Holy spirit through the apostles and their associates to authenticate them as the messengers of God's truth. " John MacArthur
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