Who was Thomas in the Bible? - CompellingTruth.org The meaning of the parable was that he had not yet reached the end of his day, and therefore could safely continue the work which had been given him to do. According to John MacArthur, what set Thomas apart from the other ten was not that his doubt was greater, but that his sorrow was greater. (pg. As mentioned before, Thomas is featured in several prominent stories in Johns gospel, each of which reveals something about the character of this widely misunderstood apostle. The disciples reminded him of the hatred of the Jews, and of their recent attempts to kill him. "The characteristic of Thomas," says Ian Maclaren, "is not that he doubted, -- that were an easy passport to religion, -- but that he doubted and loved. Who were Jesus' twelve (12) disciples / apostles? He did not make the tests he had insisted that he must make. These were activities that would require the physical presence of the apostles. All he wanted was the same evidence they had received. COMMENTARY: How 'Doubting Thomas' Became My Missionary Hero Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at jessicabrodie.com. Like Thomas, help me to move away from my unbelief, to shrug off all my worries and concerns and simply rest in You, and believe. When Pope Benedict XVI visited India in 2006, he confirmed that Thomas had landed in western India, probably at a place that is part of present-day Pakistan. He and Jesus had been friends for some time, and there is evidence that the friendship was a very close and tender one. The Book of Acts describes how king Herod had Peter arrested and put in jail. Bibliography. Jesus knew He would be ascending to heaven and that His time on earth was short. A follower of Jesus must be ready and willing to follow him to his cross. We may infer that his melancholy temperament led him to absent himself. It seemed to start where the 1st chapter of Acts left off, right in the heart of Jerusalem with Thomas and the other disciples gathered in one place. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. But Thomas would not forsake Jesus, though he was going straight to martyrdom. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'". The deceased brother asked to be sent back to earth so he could buy the palace. Lawyers with supreme court business paid Clarence Thomas aide via Venmo Saint Thomas the Apostle, also known as "Doubting Thomas." Lifetime 1st century (birth year unknown - died in 72 AD), in Galilee when it was part of the ancient Roman Empire (now part of Israel), Syria, ancient Persia, and India. Jesus offered tremendous grace by showing Himself to Thomas in response to Thomass doubts. Throughout church history, new missionaries to India often landed to discover an established church there which linked itself to the ministry of Thomas in the first century. Tradition has it that he was the first Patriarch of the church in Antioch, today located in southern Turkey. In that story, the other disciples questioned Jesuss decision, reminding Him that the last time they were there the Jews had wanted to stone Him, but Jesus insisted. A gloomy Christian casts dark shadows wherever he goes; a sunny Christian is a benediction to every life he touches. Yohannan is the founder of GFA World(www.gfa.org), a Texas-basedmissionorganization that serves millions worldwide, showing them the love of God. Jesus had been put to death for causing trouble for both the Jewish and Roman authorities. Roman Catholics who follow the General Roman Calendar dating back to 1960 or earlier and Anglicans such as those of the Episcopal Church, the Church of England, and the Lutheran Church continue to celebrate Thomass feast day on December 21. Perhaps their belief in the Lord's resurrection made such a change in them, so brightened and transformed them, that Thomas grew less positive in his unbelief as he saw them day after day. It is believed Thomas the Apostles relics were carried to Ortona, Abruzzo, Italy, in 1258. Click here to find out more about this unique and fun Bible study tool! Meanwhile, a man called Abbanes wandered around Jerusalem on an errand to buy a carpenter for his master, the Indo-Parthian king Gundaphorus. Did he hear him speak one day, and find himself drawn to him by the power of his gracious words? According to the historian Eusebius James was the first bishop to be appointed over the church in Jerusalem. Although the Jewish people and . This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. When trouble comes, or any testing, it would continue firm and unmoved, because it rests on the rock of divine truth. All that Thomas heard Christ say regarding His death and resurrection should have been sufficient without the aid of sight (John 20:29). He was present at the raising of Lazarus where he showed his loyalty to Christ (John 11:16). The apostles were 12 of the disciples of Jesus who went on to spread his message and found the early Christian church. He was sure it was a walk to death, but he faltered not in his loyalty. The only thing we know about Thomas, other than his twin nickname, is that he was paired with Matthew the tax collector when Jesus sent them out in pairs to heal and drive out demons (Matthew 10:3), and that he was the sole disciple who seemed ready to sacrifice his life when Jesus wanted to go back to Judea to heal Lazarus (John 11). 4. But, looking back on my life, God has always been patient with me -- and, even in my own frailty of faith, Hes never let me down. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, the second Black justice to sit on the court after Thurgood Marshall, has spent years opposing affirmative action. Follow the example of St. Thomas. Thomas was ready to believe, glad to believe, when the proof was sufficient to convince him. Lets examine the significance of this. Tennyson, in "In Memoriam," tells the story of a faith that grew strong through its doubting. In every mention of Peter, for example, the man is indubitably the same. The Gospel of John differs from the other three gospels however by either not mentioning several of the apostles or using different names. He convinced them not to have children so they could find enlightenment and both eventually converted to Christianity. John 14:1-5 mentions St. Thomas as the one who objected before the Last Supper. It is instructive to think of what this doubting disposition of Thomas cost him. If friendship for Christ be loyal and true, we need not look upon questioning as disloyalty; it may be but love finding the way up the rugged mountain-side to the sunlit summit of a glorious faith. (John 20) Why wasn't Thomas at the first meeting with Christ The Apostle John was recorded as remaining mostly in Judaea and aiding in the conversion of people to Christianity. Similarly, through the Holy Spirit, we are led to the truth. Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. Yet, because of one incident recorded in John 20:24-29, this incomplete picture has overshadowed his admirable character traits from which we can glean a valuable example. As believers, its not something we want to dwell on. Every burden is heavier because of the sad heart that beats under it. Did he learn of the new rabbi through the fame of him that went everywhere, and then come to him without solicitation? It is perhaps fitting for people who preached about life after death that many of the apostles enjoyed colorful afterlives. The name Thomas comes from the Aramaic word te'oma which means "twin." There is no record of the beginning of the friendship of Jesus and Thomas. Because of Thomas' positive character traits, God was able to open his mind and work with him. The apostle performed more miracles after this and according to Edessene tradition, his adventures ended only when he was killed by four soldiers with spears. Poor Thomas! The hopelessness of Thomas as he thought of Jesus going to Bethany makes his devotion and his cleaving to him all the braver and nobler. When news of the sickness of Lazarus came, Jesus waited two days, and then said to his disciples, "Let us go into Judea again." ", The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part Two). In John 14, at the Last Supper, Jesus spoke of his eventual departure from this earth to prepare a place for his followers. One of those churches was in the village of Niranam -- one of the 600,000 villages throughout India today. They turn away their ears from the voices of love which speak to them out of the Bible, and will not receive the divine consolations. Paul seems to have not required this. Knowing this, the disciples werent exactly motivated to visit a town within walking distance of those who wanted their best friend dead. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, My Lord and my God! (John 20:27-28). There was no need for it. History may remember Doubting Thomas, but when it came time for Thomas to finally enter eternity and be reunited with his lord, Jesus didnt remember Thomass lapses in faith or greet him as the Doubting Thomas. He commanded his men to look for and bring the apostle to him, but Thomas had sailed away to the territory of king Gundaphorus before he was caught. That he is said to have remained in this position for thirty years shows how important the apostles direct connection to Jesus was to their authority. Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here; see my hands. The apostles were 12 of the disciples of Jesus who went on to spread his message and found the early Christian church. The light shines all about them; but they close doors and windows, and keep it from entering the darkened chamber where they sit. So why is it so hot? They shut themselves up with their grief, and refuse to accept the comfort of the gospel of Christ. The disciples, therefore, did everything they could to try and talk Jesus out of this side trip. Related articles As a Christian, How Do I Deal with My Doubts? Thomas L. Friedman is the foreign affairs Op-Ed columnist. The Acts of Thomas, written in the 3rd century tells of how he was told by Jesus to go to India. Article Images Copyright , $12.50 to Combat Holocaust Survivors' Hunger. Thomas can teach us a lot about the importance of faith and the gracious and compassionate love Jesus has for us all. But we must admit that this is not the best way to live. All four agree that Simon, Peter, Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Thomas, and Judas Iscariot were among the disciples. It is the true soldier spirit. In the Gospel of John, Thomas famously doubted Jesus' resurrection, telling the other disciples, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe" ( John 20:25 ). 163, Twelve Ordinary Men). While it was inside the Roman Empire that the Christian message found its first converts tales have long been told of the apostles traveling much further afield. NY 10036. Myself included. He remembered only the bitterness which the Jews had shown toward Jesus, and their determination to destroy his life. Often asked: When St Thomas The Apostle Become A Apostle? After the crucifixion of Jesus in the 1st century, they split up and began to proselytize both the message of Jesus and the concept that he was the son of God. It is not influenced by any question of consequences; but though it be to certain death, it hesitates not. There are sorrows, but they are comforted. Maybe it seems too risky. Perhaps theres that niggling doubt in your mind: What if I take the plunge -- and fail?. Syrian tales specifically mention that Thomas was martyred on July 3, 72 A.D. at St. Thomas Mount in Chennai and was later interred in Mylapore. Scripture is silent about the reason for his doubt. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" All rights reserved. This would have proven useful in their later travels, though we are told some at the time were unimpressed with their new linguistic ability. There he is said to have converted the local king to Christianity. If I could do it over again, Id take more risks for the gospel. Many persons are only confirmed in their scepticism by the well-meant but unwise efforts that are made to convince them of the truth concerning which they doubt. Thomas the Apostle (Greek: , Syriac , Tm, meaning "the twin"), also known as Didymus (Greek: Didymos, meaning "twin"), was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament.Thomas is commonly known as "Doubting Thomas" because he initially doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ when he was told of it (as is related in the Gospel of . "Let us also go, that we may die with him." So are any of us really that different from Thomas on our worst day? This is the kind of discipleship which the Master demands. What Does "I Believe! But in the darkness and the cloud,As over Sinai's peaks of old,While Israel made their gods of gold,Although the trumpet blew so loud. But we have read only half the story of the fear of Thomas. Biography: St. Thomas the Apostle Shelton told Live Science about one tale "that often gives an audience a good laugh is the episode of Paul encountering a lion in the wilderness of Palestine in The Acts of Paul. It were well if more Christians insisted on finding the ground of their faith, the reasons why they are Christians. You say, but with no touch of scorn,Sweet-hearted, you, whose light-blue eyesAre tender over drowning flies,You tell me, doubt is devil-born. Meanwhile they walk in darkness as Thomas did. Barbosas records, dating back to the 16th century, state that Thomass tomb (in India) was initially taken care of by a Muslim who kept a lamp burning at the spot. Ben Gazur is a freelance writer and author. "The first council of apostles in Jerusalem have authoritarian pronouncements concerning the admittance of the Gentile converts into the Christian movement. The story of "doubting Thomas" is found in John 20, just after Christ has risen from the dead and has appeared to the other 10 disciples in a locked room (only Judas Iscariot, the betrayer who ultimately took his life, and Thomas were absent). Teach Us about Faith? Whatever the trouble may be that comes into their life, they see the trouble only, and fail to perceive the bright light in the cloud. Thomas, however, was not counted among them. Jesus and Thomas. - Bible Hub First, it kept him from the meeting of the disciples that evening, when all the others came together. Christian Truth. 2023The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization. Tradition however has long placed him there and many sites in the city are claimed to be linked to him. Today, a Doubting Thomas is a name given to someone who is notoriously pessimistic, lacks faith, or doubts what they have not seen with their own eyes. When the resurrected Christ appeared to him eight days later, Thomas' immediate reaction was wonderful: "And Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and My God!'" The story of Thomas shows, too, that there may be honest doubt. Faith is an essential ingredient for Christ-followers, but that doesnt mean that believers are courageous, optimistic, or faithful all the time. Some also believe that Thomas had first reached northwest India but had left the area when there was invasion. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. St. Thomas the Apostle, also known as Thoma Sheliha, Jumeau (French), and Didymus (meaning "twin" in Greek), was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ mentioned in the New Testament. Images of Bartholomew can be found in churches across the world, though at first people can find them hard to interpret. Though the sources for this mission are much later there is indeed an ancient Christian community that exists in Ethiopia, which can be traced back to at least the reign of Aksumite emperor Ezana in the 4th century, according to the Met Museum. Like the rest of the Twelve, Thomas was also filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-31), performed miraculous signs and wonders (Acts 5:12-15), and fulfilled the Great Commission of Jesus by traveling to the ends of the earth to preach the Gospel (Matthew 28:16-20). He saw only danger in the Master's return to Judea. Yohannan, a skinny boy from one of Indias obscure villages. After this, Thomas virtually disappeared from Biblical history except in other historical records and Gnostic textsmost of which were unverifiable. They know the promises, and often quote them to others; but when trouble comes upon them, all these words of God fade out of their minds. They believe the great truths of Christianity, that Jesus died for them and rose again; but their faith fails them for the time in the hour of sorest distress. To look into the face of Jesus, to hear his voice, and to see the prints of the nails in his hands, was evidence enough even for Thomas. What Are The Names of the Thieves Crucified With Christ. (Image credit: Heritage Images / Contributor via Getty Images). Apostle Thomas Thomas as Jesus' Disciple The Apostle Thomas, one of Jesus ' original twelve disciples ( Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15), was probably one of Christian history's famous skeptics who gave way to the term "Doubting Thomas." As the apostles were chosen from the much larger company of those who were already disciples, Thomas must have been a follower of Jesus before he was an apostle. Later, Christ appeared in his presence at least twice (John 20:26-29; 21:1-2). 25 Bible Quotes on Faith for When You Can't See God's Next Steps for Your Life, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed, How Doubting Thomas Encourages Us to Have Faith, even When We Feel Skeptical, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Simon the Zealot is said by some texts to have been sawed in half in Persia. In my most despairing moments, the victory of the cross of Christ swept away the fear and discouragement as I focused on the One who gave up everything for me -- me, K.P. Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you! Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here; see my hands. He must see the print of the nails, and must also be permitted to put his finger into the place. He then spread Christianity from there to southern India. The Acts of Thomas, too, identify Saint Thomas with the apostle Judas, Son of James, also known as Jude. Thus the gentleness of Jesus in dealing with his doubts saved Thomas from being an unbeliever. For centuries, he's been known as "Doubting Thomas.". Stay up to date on the latest science news by signing up for our Essentials newsletter. According to another story from India, Thomas was killed by a Brahmin with a spear in 72 AD because of the apostles popularity among the people. and at thy feetTake but the lowest seat.PRINCIPAL SHAIRP. He treated his doubt with exceeding gentleness, as a skilful physician would deal with a dangerous wound. He said that they had been deceived; and he asserted that he must not only see for himself, but must have the opportunity of subjecting the evidence to the severest test. Unless you people see signs and wonders, Jesus told him, you will never believe (John 4:48). Id sacrifice more. Also, would any of the other disciples have been just as skeptical had they not been there to encounter Jesus firsthand?