Thomas: The So Called Doubter. Series

#12~THOMAS: APOSTLES 2-22-14

Today by the Lords help & grace we'll think on and talk for a few minutes about Apostle Thomas.

I'm sure most people have heard Thomas referred to as "doubting Thomas" , but I doubt that Thomas was any more doubtful than any of the others, the reason I think that is because of what we read in;

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> Mark 16: 9-14 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

~ Mary Magdalene was probably given the privilege of being first to witness the resurrected Christ because of her unreserved dedication.

10And she went and told them that had been with HIM, as they mourned and wept.

~ Four times in verses 11-14 we read of their unbelief, listen Mk.16:11-14

11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. --- 12After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

~These two were Cleopas and another disciple as they were walking on the Emmaus road. -- Cleopas and his friend were so convinced that the risen Christ had been with them that they left right away and hurried to Jerusalem to tell the others. -- Luke 24:13--35

13And they went and told it unto the residue: [the 10, Thomas was not with them at this time, but would be 8 days later.] neither believed they them.

14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven [8 days later-(Jn 20:24--29) - as they sat at meat, and upbraided (severely rebuke) them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

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~ Thomas was also called "Didymus," which means "the twin." Apparently he had a twin brother or a twin sister, but his twin is never identified in Scriptures.

>John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

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~An old traditional saying is that the other twin was a sister called Lysia, but any remark that might be made about the twin, is all speculation because no place do we find it pinned down.

~ We simply believe the record we have and that is, that he was born a twin, and carried this name into the circle of the twelve.

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~ Thomas is mentioned only once in each of the three Gospels where the list of the Apostles is named, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. -- In each of these 3 gospels, he is found named with the other eleven apostles in a list. --- No details about him are given in these 3 gospels, let me remind us, that Johns gospel does not give a list of their names, but we learn everything we know about Thomas's character from John's Gospel. -- He is mentioned 8 times in John.

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>John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymium, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

>John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

>John 20:24 -29 -- 5 times.

>John 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the [sons] of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. -- The two other disciples probably are Andrew and Philip as their fishers as well.

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~Thomas is also named in the list of the Apostles waiting in the upper room in Acts1:13.

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As far as gospel history is concerned we know very little about the kinsmen of Thomas, or his place of residence, did he have a wife and family? -- we can not say with certainty --- We do know for certain that Thomas was a Jew, and in all probability was a Galilean.

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>Acts 1:10-11 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

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~ Thomas was devoted to Christ, he and John had much in common in their love for Christ. --- When we think about someone who loved Jesus and was close to Jesus we usually think of John, because it seems he was always near Jesus.

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But as we read the account in John 11: we'll see that Thomas was willing to die with Christ. -- Remember that Bethany was not very far from Jerusalem, and the Jews there had already made plans to kill Jesus the first opportunity they had, the disciples were afraid to go back at this time, they were afraid they would likewise be killed with Jesus, but Thomas was ready.