An Introduction To St Thomas The Apostle

When most people think of the Apostle Thomas, it is in conjunction with his nickname, “Doubting Thomas.” This name has become synonymous with people who doubt something or have weak faith. While this is clearly one aspect of Thomas’ life, it should not be the part that defines him. The Gospels provide us with a few important pieces of information about Thomas. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke each contain a list of the Twelve Apostles that Jesus chose. There are minor variations among the lists but Thomas’ name is in each of them. There is also another listing at the beginning of The Acts of the Apostles, commonly believed to have been authored by Luke. Thomas’ name is in that list as well. In the Gospel of John, Thomas makes three appearances. The first one is in the story where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in chapter eleven. At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus and His disciples receive a message from Martha and Mary that their brother, Lazarus, is sick. They are close friends of Jesus and ask Him to come and heal Lazarus. A discussion ensues between Jesus and the disciples about whether or not they should go. Lazarus lives near Jerusalem. The last time that Jesus was there, the religious leaders had tried to kill Him. Ultimately, Jesus told the disciples that they were going to see Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. After Jesus put a stop to the discussion and told His followers that they were going, Thomas said, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.” ( John 11: 16) While this has been interpreted as a flippant saying by Thomas, it also seems to show the depth of his commitment. He would rather go somewhere dangerous with Jesus than to stay behind in safety. This passage is also significant for another reason. It is here that John identifies Thomas as, “the Twin.” There is no explanation given. It seems likely, though, that Thomas has a twin and the other disciples are aware of it. It is probable that many of these men knew each other before Jesus called them and were familiar with each other’s backgrounds. The second passage in John where Thomas makes an appearance is during the Last Supper. John gives some extended narrative that took place during this meal that the Synoptic writers do not. Jesus was trying to prepare His followers for what was coming. He was trying to lay the groundwork to help them understand the fact that He was going away. Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society