Thomas Judas Didymus

From Christ’s Cabinet by William A. McIntyre

Tradition – Twin sister, Lydia

Born – Antioch

Closely associated with Matthew and Philip:

Mt 10:3

3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Patriot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. (TEV)

Ac 1:13

13 They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying: Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas son of James. (TEV)

Courage and unselfishness, warm and loving of Jesus , but subject to despondency:

Jn 11:16

16 (C) Thomas (called the Twin) said to his fellow disciples, "Let us all go along with the Teacher, so that we may die with him!" (TEV)

Logical and thoughtful:

Jn 14:3

5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?" 6 (C) Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me (TEV)

Honest in belief. Slow to believe. Doubtful Thomas – marked thusly like Peter for denial and Judas for betrayal:

Jn 20:24-29

24 (C) One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 (C) So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe." 26 (C) A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 (C) Then he said to Thomas , "Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!" 28 (C) Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me!"

Observations:

  1. It seems likely that Thomas had given up close association with the Apostles and had gone his own way after the apparent death of Jesus.
  2. In the end Thomas found his faith – and his doubts were laid to rest.
  3. Thomas asked the same questions that millions ask – sometimes every day.
  4. It must hurt Jesus physically for Thomas to insert his hand into His wounds – just as it must hurt Him every time He must reprove Himself to us.
  5. Does Jesus meet each of us who has an open heart at the exact point where convincing is possible? Each of us who believe has that locus whereby or faith became solid and proven.
  6. Thomas became a vigorous missionary in the founding of Christ’s Church in foreign lands.

Doubters, while lacking in faith, by expressing their doubts, express honesty – how many of us have daily or minute by minute doubts that we never express?

The Greek influence in the geographical are of Antioch was strong – and with it the tradition of rational and critical thought.

The work of Christ requires all types of personalities:

  1. Peter – man of impulse.
  2. John – man of temper.
  3. James – man of silence.
  4. Philip – matter of fact man.
  5. Thomas – man of moods.

From The Search for the Twelve Apostles by William Steuart McBirnie

The Church of the East was founded by Thomas, Peter, Thaddeus and St Mari (of the seventy).

The Church of Babylon – outside the Roman Empire – was founded by Thomas.

The Church of India was founded by Thomas.

Thomas was killed by lance in India while praying by low caste Brahmins who had been discredited before King Sagamo by Thomas.

A tomb of Thomas exists in Mylapore, South India (a suburb of Madras), but is empty – the relics reportedly moved in the first few centuries AD to Edessa then to Ortona, Italy.

Thomas also traveled to Afghanistan, Tibet, Persia and Syria.