Wednesday night lesson: The Apostle Thomas. A man of contradictions
The early historians wrote that the Apostle Thomas traveled east to India and preached the Gospel to the peoples of that area. Many fanciful stories have been written about his exploits and death, but we really need to follow the facts and leave the stories alone.
The last reference to Thomas in Scripture is by Luke in the book of –
Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
Following the ascension of Jesus, Thomas is listed with the other Apostles in the congregation of the church in Jerusalem. He is among the faithful in the early church and stands for the Lord in difficult times.
Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
How did Thomas come to this ministry of the Gospel in the church? Was it easy for him? The Word of God reveals to us his humanity and I trust we can identify with him tonight.
I. Conversion – no record given.
II. Chosen (Following a night of prayer, the Lord chose His Apostles)
Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
III. Committed (to the Lord)
John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
IV. Concerned (Wanted answers. So many things the Lord and said and done were beyond their understanding)
John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
V. Confused along with others – Luke 24 Many believers were doubting the meaning of the events on that first day of the week. It took time for them to reconcile the plan of God with their own expectations of what He should do –
Mark 9:31-32 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
John 20:24,25 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
The good thing is that Thomas continued to assemble with the believers. Even though he missed this opportunity for some reason, he did return. It is sad when people give up and walk away. They miss the blessings of God.
VI. Convinced. The grace of the Lord, He gave time for Thomas to deal with his doubts.
John 20:26-29 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
He resorted with the apostles from then on and was present to see the restoration of Peter to service.
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.
Believing is sometimes difficult, but the Lord ask us to trust Him, believe Him, and prove His Word in our own lives. When we are saved, born again, we truly become ‘new creatures’ in Him. We have God the Holy Spirit in us to direct us into all truth. When we stay with Him daily in His Word and live out the faith, we become convinced of truth –
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against