Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Memory Verse John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

The Twelve Apostles 1. Simon-Peter 2. Andrew 3. James 4. John 5. Philip 6. Bartholomew 7. Thomas 8. Matthew, Levi 9. Simon the Zealot 10. James, the son of Alphaeus 11. Thaddaeus 12. Paul

His Name: Thomas, Hebrew (TAOM) means "double or twin", also called Didymus, the Greek equivalent sur name. John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2

His Background: Thomas was born in Antioch, but Galilee is also considered his native home. John 21:2

There is much confusion regarding his potential siblings and actual identity:

1) His name meaning twin has led attempts to identify his twin brother or sister. But, it is likely the twin is not mentioned in the NT.

2) The Acts of Thomas, makes him the twin of Jesus! And “Judas Thomas” is thought to be Judas of James, the brother of our Lord. This can not be verified.

3) Thomas is mentioned with Matthew, the son of Alphaeus, Mark 2:14, and that these two are followed by James (the lesser), who was also the son of Alphaeus, Mark 3:18.

Therefore, Matthew, Thomas, and James, are said to be brothers, but no proof of this can be found.

His Personality: Courageous boldness with loyalty and faithfulness, while also being pessimistic.

Slow to believe, subject to despondency, seeing all the difficulties of a case, viewing things on the darker side.

His Role Among the Apostles: The Synoptics identify him, Mat 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15, as 3rd or 4th in the 2nd group. Only John reveals information about Thomas.

1) When Jesus declared to go to Bethany, Thomas made his courageous statement. John 11:15-16

2) At the Last Supper, when Jesus was speaking of His departure Thomas wanted to follow. John 14:4-5

3) He was absent when the risen Jesus first appeared to the disciples. When told of it, Thomas doubted with skepticism. “Doubting Thomas” John 20:24-29

A fresco inside the monastery church at Ossious Lukas, Greece showing Thomas putting his hand in Jesus’ side.

“The Incredulity of St Thomas” by Caravaggio

When convinced of the resurrection he made an historic confession of faith. “My Lord and my God!”

4) After that we only hear of Thomas twice more, post resurrection. John 21:2, Acts 1:13-14

His Legacy: Unfortunately, Thomas is infamously known for his act of doubt, John 20:24- 29, rather than for his courage, John 11:16.

His doubt was not unlike that of the other disciples who also were invited to touch our Lord and did not believe until our Lord ate something. Luke 24:39-43

Unlike the others, once given the proof he immediately praises the Lord. The object lesson was for all and to demonstrate the difference between empiricism and faith.

Thomas is said to have taken Christianity to Edessa (Syria) and eastwards as far as India.

Thomas

In the Agbarus legend Thomas sent Thaddaeus to king Agbarus of Edessa, in response to our Lord’s promise to Agbarus.

Tradition states the Indo- Parthian king Gondophares was proselytized by Thomas, who continued on to southern India.

Coin from Indo-Parthian king Gondophares evangelized by Thomas

Marco Polo in 1292 traveled to (Sri Lanka) and western India, where he met Syrian Christians and recorded their legends of Thomas.

Various Eastern Churches claim that Thomas personally brought Christianity to China and Japan in AD 64 and 70 respectively.

Extra-Biblical writings: The Gospel of Thomas, the Acts of Thomas, (a.k.a. the Infancy Gospel of Thomas), about Jesus' boyhood, and the Apocalypse of Thomas.

Foxes Book of Martyrs: His martyrdom is said have happened where exciting the rage of the pagan priests in India he was killed by being thrust through with a spear, AD 72?

Phil 3:15, “…and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.”

Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Meet the Apostles - Thomas Upper Room Discourse, Part 252 Tape # Meet the Apostles - Thomas Upper Room Discourse, Part 252 John 13:36; 11:15-16; 14:4-5; 20:24-29 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2009