What Happened to Doubting Thomas in the Bible? Apostle Thomas’ Way to India

Thomas is Born in Galilee

He was born in the first century in Galilee, which was a part of the Roman Empire in the Province of Judea. Thomas became one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. 

Before Thomas became a disciple, not much is known about his early life. He is often referred to as “the Apostle called the Twin”.

Apostle Thomas or the Doubting Thomas in the Bible?

Thomas, one of the early figures in New Testament history, has been widely misunderstood. His nickname “doubting Thomas” often associated with doubt and lack of faith. However, a closer look at the historical sources will prove our limited understanding of him.

The name Thomas originates from the Aramaic term tôma, which denotes “twin.” In the Gospel of John, he is mentioned as “Thomas, who was called Didymus” on three occasions, without any clarifications. The Greek expression for twin, didymus, is believed to have been Thomas’ name in Christian circles who were speaking Greek. In the Acts of Thomas he is mentioned as Judas Thomas and “twin”:

Who was Thomas’ Twin Brother?

Due to the absence of any explicit mention of Thomas’ twin sibling in the Bible, some scholars suggest that Thomas might have been the biological or the spiritual twin of Jesus. 

The apocryphal documents offer additional details about the twin relationship between Jesus and Thomas. According to the Acts of Thomas, he was recognized as Jesus’s twin, while the Gospel of Thomas implies that he may have been known as “Judas” instead. Meanwhile, the Book of Thomas the Contender explicitly identifies Thomas as Jesus’s “brother” and “double.”

It is probable that Thomas’s association with Jesus as twins is derived from the idea of spiritual twinning in the Hymn of the Pearl and the Acts of Thomas. In the Hymn of Pearl we read: 

The Gospel of Thomas, verse 13, depicts Thomas as a disciple possessing exceptional spiritual discernment, who imparts divine knowledge to Jesus and thus elevates his status above that of Peter and Matthew:

The Presence of Thomas the Disciple in the Bible

Thomas is mentioned several times in John’s Gospel, including when he asked Jesus how to know the way, to which Jesus replied, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, but Thomas was not with them. When they told him they had seen the Lord, he doubted and said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

When Jesus came and stood among the disciples, even though the doors were locked, He invited Thomas to touch His wounds. He said, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus then reminded to him that “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas in the Midst of India Preaching the Gospel

Matthew records that Jesus instructed his disciples to spread his message to all corners of the known world. Paul set his sights on reaching the westernmost point of Spain. Thomas, the disciple who famously declared “My Lord and my God,” was the one who journeyed east. 

Since the other disciples were headed towards Rome, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Carthage, it’s believed that Thomas was the designated Apostle to the East. Heeded as the only disciple who ventured towards the East, Thomas followed the risen Lord’s directive to “go into all the world.”

Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, became a bold evangelist and church planter, preaching the gospel and establishing the early church in distant lands, including India.

According to tradition, Thomas traveled outside the Roman Empire to Persia and India, arriving in India in AD 52. He baptized several families and established seven churches in Kerala, mainly on the Periyar River and its tributaries and along the coast, where there were Jewish colonies.

Thomas ordained teachers and leaders who were reported to be the earliest ministry of the Malankara Church.

Did Doubting Thomas Travel to China?

There is some evidence that suggests Thomas may have traveled to China, but it is not widely accepted. Some early Christian writings and church traditions mention Thomas traveling to China and even evangelizing there, but these accounts are not supported by solid historical evidence. Most historians believe that Thomas primarily traveled and ministered in Persia and India.

The Thomasines Christian Sect

The identity of the Thomasines

The Thomasines, a community of Christians influenced by the apostle Thomas, held distinctive beliefs and practices that set them apart from other early Christian groups.

They viewed Jesus as a mystical example of wholeness and emphasized self-denial, asceticism, and the pursuit of esoteric knowledge.

Their writings, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Book of Thomas the Contender, and the Hymn of the Pearl, reflect these beliefs and practices.

Understanding the identity of the Thomasine community requires a wider perspective of the traditions related to it. There is evidence of early Christianity in Syria, and the Doctrina Addai tradition links Edessan Syriac Christianity directly with Jesus and claims apostolic origins. 

Syriac Christianity in Edessa identifies more with the Palestinian Jesus movement than with Gentile Christianity, and the twinship of Thomas was well accepted in Edessa.

Thomas’s mortal remains were transferred from Mylapore, India, to Edessa. His relationship with Edessan Christianity is crucial in understanding the identity of the Thomas community.

Christian communities existed in various parts of the Parthian Empire from the first century CE. Thomas’s influence was acknowledged in Persia and India, with his role as an apostle linked to both regions.

The community of Thomas existed over a long period, with the Thomas Christians of Kerala continuing to exist today. The Church in Kerala is connected to the Syrian and Persian ecclesiastical bodies, which explains its continuity. Traditions connect Thomas with various regions, with sea and land routes connecting these areas in the first century CE.

The Beliefs of the Thomasines

The Thomasine community’s writings demonstrate an elitist and ascetic version of Christianity, focused on esoteric knowledge and mystical interpretations of Jesus as a model of wholeness. 

The Thomasines believed in a dualistic understanding of the world, where the material world was seen as corrupt and the spiritual world as pure. They saw the body as a hindrance to spiritual growth and advocated for the denial of bodily pleasures and desires.

They also emphasized the importance of secret teachings and interpretations of Jesus’ words that were only accessible to the initiated members of the community.

Their beliefs were not limited to a specific geographic region but were shared by communities in East Syria, Persia, Indo-Parthia, and South India. Despite this widespread influence, their beliefs remained distinct from the Jewish and Gentile Christian groups of the time.

Overall, the Thomasines’ unique beliefs and practices highlight the diversity of early Christianity and the various interpretations of Jesus’ teachings that emerged in different parts of the world.

Saint Thomas Christians

Saint Thomas Christians, also known as Syrian Christians of India, are an ancient community of Christians in India who trace their origins back to the apostle Thomas, who is believed to have arrived in India in the 1st century AD. 

The Saint Thomas Christians have a unique blend of Indian and Christian traditions and are divided into several denominations, including the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, and the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church.

They have a rich history and have made significant contributions to the development of Christianity in India.

Is Thomas simply a “doubting Thomas,” or is he also a “believing Thomas”?

The Gospel of John presents Thomas as a paradigm for Christian spirituality, showing his role as a seeker of truth, believer based on seen things, and action-oriented and progressive character.

His pivotal moment of declaring “My Lord and my God” (20:28) represents a significant shift in his character development, moving from disbelief to a profound understanding of Jesus’s divinity. 

Apostle Thomas is a mature believer who shares esoteric wisdom with Jesus and progresses in knowledge. He ascended from ignorance to perfection and went on a cross-cultural apostolic mission in the Indo-Parthian and South Indian regions.

Thomas is an early friend and disciple of Jesus, in a constant dialogue with Jesus and absorbed in the wisdom of God. For many, Thomas is acknowledged as the spiritual twin of Jesus.

Thomas’ apostolic journey to the East is widely acknowledged, as he embarked on a mission to preach and propagate the teachings of Jesus across a vast expanse of Eastern Asia, primarily in the Greater Indian territories. His profound impact gave rise to a robust Christian tradition that endures to this day.

Thomas the Apostle as an Inspiration for Christians

Thomas the Apostle can be an inspiration of faith for Christians because he represents the struggle that many believers experience in their faith journey. Thomas was known as “Doubting Thomas” because he initially had doubts about Jesus’ resurrection and wanted physical proof before he believed.

But when Jesus appeared before him and allowed him to touch His wounds, Thomas exclaimed “My Lord and my God!” This moment was a turning point for Thomas and solidified his faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

Thomas’ journey can serve as a reminder to believers that doubts and struggles are a natural part of the faith journey, but they can lead to a deeper, more profound faith in God. Thomas also reminds us of the importance of seeking the truth and not being afraid to ask questions, even if they challenge our beliefs.

Additionally, Thomas’ missionary work in India serves as an inspiration to Christians to spread the gospel and share their faith with others, even in distant lands. His boldness and dedication to spreading the message of Jesus can inspire believers to share their faith with those around them.

Overall, Thomas the Apostle’s life and works can be an inspiration of faith for Christians because of his struggles, his willingness to seek the truth, and his dedication to spreading the gospel.