See the events in life of Thomas The Apostle in Chronological Order, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Santo_Tom%C3%A1s,_por_Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez.JPG, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thomas-the-apostle-37216.php. John, too, whenever we see him, is always the same, -- reverent, quiet, affectionate, trustful, the disciple of love. Sometimes I dont trust others, or seeds of doubt begin to creep in because of lies planted by the enemy. (John 14:5). However, he was stabbed to death in Mylapore in 72 A.D. His initial tomb stands tall as San Thom Basilica, but his remains were later carried to Italy. Teach Us about Faith? After all, he had just lost his friend, his mentor, and everything he knew and trusted in life. 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. A gloomy Christian casts dark shadows wherever he goes; a sunny Christian is a benediction to every life he touches. Thomas was present in the gathering of the disciples in Acts 1, as well as during the appointment of Matthias as a replacement for Judas Iscariot. It is said that Thomas was killed with a spear, and thus martyred, in 72 A.D. in Mylapore, near Madras. The whole encounter is a reminder of an earlier story in John 4, when Jesus was asked to heal an officials son who was sick and close to death. Other texts are more problematic as they were sometimes written centuries later. Here are a few more facts to ponder about Thomas: Photo Credit: GettyImages/kevinschreiber. 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!'" 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. He who loves father or mother more than him is not worthy of him. The first incident in which Thomas appears is in connection with the death of Lazarus. Strange lights in the sky led him to the tomb of the Apostle. Third, when Thomas saw what he had to believe, he urgently wanted to prove it, and when he did, he had no doubts. 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. 5. One of my biggest regrets is that I wish Id risked more for Jesus in my life. However, since he had initially refused to believe in Jesuss resurrection, Thomas gained the nickname of the Doubting Thomas or the Doubting Apostle. In his later life, Thomas had moved to the Malabar Coast as a missionary and settled in Kerala, India. Not much is known about Thomass early years. However, Christ had then sold Thomas as a slave to a merchant, who had taken him to the king in India. "The historical accounts of the apostles after the New Testament are primarily contained in a genre of literature known as the Apostolic Acts. Some also believe that Thomas had first reached northwest India but had left the area when there was invasion. The Lord reappeared to the disciples after his resurrection (John 20:19-21), but doubting Thomas merited a special mention in the succeeding verses as he was not with them at that time. Here is where we get the phrase "Doubting Thomas". Thomas the Apostle | Biography & Facts | Study.com These proved to be mere words, as Peter denied Christ three times (verses 54-62). Lawyers with supreme court business paid Clarence Thomas aide via Venmo 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. He joined the paper in 1981, and has won . For example, snow in midsummer, or getting a good grade on a test youre certain you failed. He has authored more than 250 books, including his latest, Never Give Up. Jesus himself had also previously taught that, truly, I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Enable me to push my own will aside in favor of the Spirit within me, who opens my eyes to Your way and Your plan. There he is said to have converted the local king to Christianity. Updated on February 05, 2021 Thomas the apostle was one of Jesus Christ 's original twelve disciples, specially chosen to spread the gospel after the Lord's crucifixion and resurrection. After the crucifixion of Jesus in the 1st century, they split . Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Thomas appears in Matthew (10:3), Luke (6), Mark (3:18), and Acts of the Apostles (1:13). But, in the way of spiritual example, there is much more to Thomas. Thomas is really a lot like many of us. The Gospel of John differs from the other three gospels however by either not mentioning several of the apostles or using different names. 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). While it should be approached with some skepticism historically, the Book of Acts is a fascinating document that reveals much about the lives of the early Christians. According to tradition, Thomas . Thomas also baptized many families, such as the Sankaramangalam, Pakalomattom, Nedumpally, Kaliyankal, Payyappilly, Mampally, and Kalli families. After this, Thomas virtually disappeared from Biblical history except in other historical records and Gnostic textsmost of which were unverifiable. But we have read only half the story of the fear of Thomas. He saw only darkness. Because of Thomas' positive character traits, God was able to open his mind and work with him. This matter was important because the apostles had begun to win converts in non-Jewish areas. Is It a Sin to Question God? His words are surely an encouragement to those of us who came after these 11 apostles, those who came to faith based on the testimony of others who shared the Gospel through the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. Slightest fears become terrors, and smallest trials grow into great misfortunes. Conclusion: The message and the emphasis of the gospels was about Jesus Christ and not the apostles. We do not know when Thomas became a disciple, nor what first drew him to Jesus. The kings brother, a man named Gad, died shortly afterwards and saw that the king had a palace in heaven because of the apostle Thomas. It makes the proofs more indubitable to us that one even of the apostles refused at first to believe, and yet at length was led into triumphant faith. He had loved Jesus deeply, and his sorrow was very great. Perhaps his despondent disposition made him unsocial, and kept him from meeting with the other apostles, even to weep with them. Doubt is always costly. The bones of St. James that became the basis of the great pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela were discovered by a holy hermit called Pelagius in 814 A.D. The second time at which Thomas appears is in the upper room, after the Holy Supper had been eaten. In John 11, Jesus decided to travel to Bethany to visit Mary and Martha after the death of their brother Lazarus. Tradition has John living a long life perhaps until as late as 98 A.D. Later, Christ appeared in his presence at least twice (John 20:26-29; 21:1-2). But we've all been there. The manner of his coming is veiled in obscurity. What is the meaning of AD, BC, BCE and CE? ", "'Did Jesus Exist?' Thomas is mentioned by name in these other two biblical stories: 1. In the time of danger they forget that there are divine refuges into which they may flee and be safe. Praise the Lord She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. It is perhaps fitting for people who preached about life after death that many of the apostles enjoyed colorful afterlives. In every mention of Peter, for example, the man is indubitably the same. He always looks at the dark side. If you know much about Hebrews, you will surely find this humorous! "These disciples of Jesus had walked with the Messiah, witnessed his miracles and resurrection, gained inspiration from his teaching, and found transformation in their own lives," said Shelton. Why Are There So Many Different Bible Translations? These two stories illuminate Thomas response to the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent doubt surrounding the resurrection. But I believe He did! He did not say that if Thomas could not believe the witness of the apostles to his resurrection he must remain in the darkness which his unbelief had made for him. 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. The death of Jesus would have devastated Thomas on a deeply emotional level, especially for someone who often thought and acted with his heart. However, when Thomas spent the money given to him (for the construction) on charity, the king imprisoned him. He never made any such bold confession as Peter did, but neither did he ever deny Christ. His search for the truth prompted him to question the other apostles until he attained a personal conviction regarding the resurrection. All the world is brighter when the light of hope shines within. We can accept that what John and the other Gospel writers recorded is a gift for us so we can understand what happened then, and give us hope for tomorrow. Using the three positive character traits of Thomas will enable us to come to the same deep, heart-felt realization that he reached. But the apostle John, filling in some of the details the synoptists left out, includes more intimate details we need to learn and understand from Thomas' life with Christ. I dont know for sure if God arranged that on purpose. In the Martyrology of St Jerome, the third day of July was Saint Thomas feast day as it was the day when his relics were transported from the city of Mylapore in Chennai, India to Edessa in northern Mesopotamia. How Long In Prison? In AD 52, about 20 years after Christs crucifixion and resurrection, Thomas journeyed 3,000 miles to India, where he planted seven churches in the South. COMMENTARY: How 'Doubting Thomas' Became My Missionary Hero 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). Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" The only thing we know about Thomas, other than his "twin" nickname, is that he was paired . Closer examination reveals that he is actually holding his own flayed skin. Thomas, widely known by his nickname, "Doubting Thomas," was one of Jesus's chosen 12 disciples and closest followers during his earthly ministry. He packed them up and traveled with them all the way to Scotland, to the city now known as St. Andrews. We have an illustration of the deep, tender, patient, and wise friendship of Jesus for Thomas in the way he treated this doubt of his apostle. It is not influenced by any question of consequences; but though it be to certain death, it hesitates not. You can specify preference after sign-up and opt out at any time. He doubted Jesuss resurrection when he first heard of it from the other apostles. However, the early Christians and the apostles would not be able to stay in Jerusalem forever. That evening Jesus entered through the closed doors, and stood in the midst of the disciples, and greeted them as he had done so often before, "Peace be unto you!" The relics remain in Italy, in the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle. 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. Thomas was not an optimist, but he was no coward either. His doubt was the measure of his love; his doubt was swallowed up in love." All rights reserved. Required fields are marked *. It is the highest test of courage to go forward unfalteringly in the way of duty when one sees only personal loss and sacrifice as the result. This is the kind of discipleship which the Master demands. The Bible doesnt tell us much about Thomas other than that he was also known as Didymus, the Greek word for twin and that, on one occasion at least, he was willing to die for Jesus. Why does the date of Easter change every year? He saw only danger in the Master's return to Judea. Did he hear him speak one day, and find himself drawn to him by the power of his gracious words? Faith is better than doubt, and confidence better than questioning. Jesus then responded, Because you have seen me, you have believed;blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (v. 29). There are but three incidents in which this apostle appears; but in all of these the portrait is the same, and is so clear that even Peter's character is scarcely better known than that of Thomas. The king had assigned him the task of building a royal palace, as Thomas was a carpenter. At the onset of his earthly ministry, Jesus called 12 men to be his disciples, Thomas among them. Both Thomas and Didymus mean "twin," though the Bible never explicitly mentions him having a twin ( John 11:16; 20:24 ). Last to speak in this first council was James the Just, also known as the brother of Jesus. Muslims consider it a revered place. And we can rest assured that He will handle it all. Altogether, the New Testament mentions Thomas in eight passages, of which four are lists of the apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). Mary of Bethany comes into the story on only three occasions; but always we see her in the same attitude, -- at Jesus' feet, -- while Martha is ever active in her serving. It is better to be a sunny Christian, rejoicing, songful, happy, than a sad, gloomy, despondent Christian. All he wanted was the same evidence they had received. Every pain is keener because of the dispiriting which it brings with it. Thomas L. Friedman is the foreign affairs Op-Ed columnist. He instead welcomed his loyal friend with open arms. 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. He forgot for the time the divine power of Jesus, and the divine protection which sheltered him while he was doing the Father's will. 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. Tradition has it that he was the first Patriarch of the church in Antioch, today located in southern Turkey. He looked only at the dark side. His faith was instant and strong. 163, Twelve Ordinary Men). Too many Christian mourners fail to find comfort in their sorrow. 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. Nay, rather while the sea of doubtIs raging wildly round about,Questioning of life and death and sin,Let me but creep withinThy fold, O Christ! Often asked: When St Thomas The Apostle Become A Apostle? In contrast, Simon Peter's boast lacked commitment when he said, "Lord, I am ready to go with you, both to prison and to death" (Luke 22:33). The settling of the matter also reveals much about the structure of the early Church. The apostles voice their opinions in turn and a letter is sent to the Christians in Antioch who had first raised the matter. Every care is magnified, and the sweetness of every pleasure is lessened, by this pessimistic tendency. If we had only the record of the first three gospels, Thomas would be just a name to us, a disciple and apostle without personality. Id give more. "Herod lived as a faithful Jew, so he would naturally have been concerned to stop the growth of any heretical sect," wrote Sean McDowell, author of "The Fate of the Apostles" (Routledge, 2018). "The first council of apostles in Jerusalem have authoritarian pronouncements concerning the admittance of the Gentile converts into the Christian movement. But its Jesuss final words in this scene, noting the blessedness of those who believe without seeing, that is thought to be the greatest lesson of this story. So are any of us really that different from Thomas on our worst day? The story of Thomas shows, too, that there may be honest doubt. The first evening the apostles met in the upper room to talk over the strange things which had occurred that day. Even in the scant material available for the making up of the story, we find evidence in Thomas of strong loyalty and unwavering devotion, and in Jesus of marvellous patience and gentleness toward his disciple. Every man doing God's will is immortal till the work is done. 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. Thomas, Loyal Follower When Jesus announced His intention of visiting the recently deceased Lazarus in Judeaa few miles from Jerusalem and dangerously close for someone as unpopular as HeThomas said to his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). Thomas was ready to believe, glad to believe, when the proof was sufficient to convince him. In John MacArthurs Twelve Ordinary Men, MacArthur refers to Thomas as the Eeyore of the Twelve, a young man who always anticipated and expected the worst. His world was shattered in a matter of hours. Andrew appears only a few times, but in each of these cases he is engaged in the same way, -- bringing some one to Jesus. The apostles were 12 of the disciples of Jesus who went on to spread his message and found the early Christian church. It shuts out heavenly comfort. However, a large number of modern liturgical calendars (such as that of the Church of England) celebrates his feast day on July 3. It is a great thing to have a wise and faithful friend when one is passing through an experience of doubt. Thomas could not understand the Master's meaning, and said, "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" In Niranam, theres a stone with an ancient Ethiopian script memorializing the spot where St. Thomas established the first church in India. 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 . It is amazing how little we know about most of the disciples. Thomas, however, gets remembered as the doubter of the group because of his reaction to news of the resurrection, and his tendency to be more of a pessimist and brooder than the rest. Most traditions point to Thomas traveling to modern day India with the Gospel. At heart, Thomas was a fiercely loyal friend and committed follower of Jesus Christ who loved his Lord with a passion worthy of more admiration than he often receives. Christian Truth. He said to his fellow-disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." That night Jesus came again into the room, the doors being shut, and standing in the midst of his friends, breathed again upon them his benediction of peace. Then he turned to Thomas; and holding out his hands, with the print of the nails in them, he asked him to put the evidences of his resurrection to the very tests he had said he must make before he could 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. Niranam is the village where I was born, 72 years ago. The Acts of Thomas, written in the 3rd century tells of how he was told by Jesus to go to India. Later, He sent the Holy Spirit, whom He called the Advocate to enable the disciples to share Christ throughout the world. The king asked him to bless the new couple in their room, to which the apostle agreed to but when they left, Jesus appeared to the couple and told them to keep themselves chaste. Feast Days The 1st Sunday after Easter, October 6th, June 30th, July 3rd, and December 21st. The Twelve, as they were often called, were Jesuss traveling companions, pupils, and direct witnesses to the miracles performed in the gospels. The music of peace floats on the air in sweet, entrancing strains, but no gentle note finds its way to their hearts. 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. Both names mean the Twin (John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2), but it was unclear who his twin was or why he was given that name. The consequence was, that when Jesus entered the room, and showed himself to his friends, Thomas missed the revealing which gave them such unspeakable gladness. The king heard the news about the couples conversion the following morning which made him livid at the possibility of not having heirs. While he was a devout servant . The Jews had sought to kill him; and he escaped from their hands, and went away for safety. All that Thomas heard Christ say regarding His death and resurrection should have been sufficient without the aid of sight (John 20:29). There is also a tradition that the Apostle Bartholomew visited India but most scholars reject this view. It makes one's own life sweeter and more beautiful. (John 20:28). But he refused to believe them; that is, he doubted the reality of what they thought they had seen. 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. Live 100 percent for Jesus! In 1969, it was transferred to July 3. Hardly any of the records of the deaths of the apostles would pass historical scrutiny judging by modern standards of scholarship but the stories associated with the ends of their lives were massively influential for centuries in Christianity. 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. Who Was Doubting Thomas? The Beginner's Guide - OverviewBible In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commands the apostles to "make disciples of all nations." Who was Thomas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org of Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you! Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here; see my hands. Why Did Christ Ride a Donkey on His Triumphant Entry? For the St. Thomas Christians, there is still no doubt that theirs is an unbroken. Lets get to know Thomas a little better: Photo Credit: GettyImages/Prostock-Studio. We also know he has been nicknamed doubting Thomas because of an encounter he had with Christ after His resurrection. An optimist would have believed in the best and trusted that everything would turn out okay so long as Jesus was by their side. Everyone grieves in different ways, and Thomas was not alone in feeling confused and perhaps betrayed by the death of Jesus. 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. All four agree that Simon, Peter, Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Thomas, and Judas Iscariot were among the disciples. Remove my doubt and increase my belief. In John 14, Thomas questioned Jesus comments about his eventual departure, asking, Lord, we dont know where you are going, so how can we know the way? (John 14:5) This was in response to Jesus stating, My Fathers house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? Thomas got India and was initially reluctant to go to an unfamiliar territory, but Jesus reappeared to him one night to reassure the apostle of his presence. Man Recounts Good Samaritan's Quick-Thinking Actions After. One who has no music in his soul hears no harmonies anywhere. Take a risk for the gospel. "Their historical accounts are also contained in sermons, commentary writings, and histories by church fathers, often without historical substantiation and sometimes with minor elements of contradiction to other sources," added Shelton. Copyright 2011-2023 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. The New Testament gives few concrete facts about his life. The rest of the Twelve often failed to grasp the bigger picture of Jesuss ministry and were similarly prone to fear, narrow-mindedness, and doubt. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Yohannan, a skinny boy from one of Indias obscure villages. This is not the way a true Christian and apostle of Jesus Christ would want to be remembered! To find a stronger faith his own;And power was with him in the night,Which makes the darkness and the light,And dwells not in the light alone. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. I know not: one indeed I knewIn many a subtle question versed,Who touched a jarring lyre at first,But ever strove to make it true: Perplext in faith, but pure in deeds,At last he beat his music out.There lives more faith in honest doubt,Believe me, than in half the creeds. Follow the example of St. Thomas. --- K.P. The Book of Acts describes how king Herod had Peter arrested and put in jail. I always Reply: a) I am the Most Positive Person You May Ever Meet; b) My Glass is 99.99% full; c) I AM NOT A DOUBTER; d) And I am Most Surely Not A Peeper. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, My Lord and my God! (John 20:27-28). Both names mean "twin," although we aren't given the name of Thomas' twin in Scripture. Thomas is the patron saint of India, the blind, and craftsmen among others. The fact that one doubted, and even refused to accept the witness of his fellow-apostles, and then at length was led into clear, strong faith, forever teaches that doubt is not hopeless. 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. They thought that he ought not to venture back again into the danger, even for the sake of carrying comfort to the sorrowing Bethany household. Perhaps you feel that way sometimes, too? His faith was instant and strong. "The Thomas journey has strong historical support. His words in the original Greektranslated here as stop doubting and believeare more of an exhortation to join in with the believers than a condemnation. 2020 24 Mar. What jobs did the twelve disciples have before they followed Jesus? One text in Acts describes how Matthew traveled to Ethiopia to spread the word of Jesus. 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. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20), Furthermore, it is written that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see, (Hebrews 11:1) and we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7). Thomas could not comprehend Jesuss reference to his own death and resurrection. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. What Are The Names of the Thieves Crucified With Christ. Thomas is one of the six apostles whom Jesus visits at the sea of Galilee after His resurrection ( Jn 21:2-3 ). Im amazed the Holy Trinity -- looking down through the centuries -- allowed the missionary story of Doubting Thomas to intersect with my own. Thomas backed his statement by action. The relatively early date of authorship makes it a valuable source as it is entirely possible that the author knew some of the apostles, or knew people who had known them. Down through the centuries, theologians have labeled this apostle as "Doubting Thomas." They were on the verge of preaching the good news in other regions, and they drew lots to determine which region each one of them should go.
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