Bible Lesson: Symbols Of Biblical Characters- Thomas

Bible Lessons:
Symbols Of Biblical Characters: Thomas (Greek Tho-mas): the twin, according to tradition a twin sister named Lydia.) Thomas was also know by the Greek name Didymus.

Thomas by trade, was a fisherman, and a disciple of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 10:3/ Mark 3:18/ Luke 6:15/ Acts 1:13).

Church symbol: A carpenter's square, and or a spear. Tradition says that Thomas built a church in India.

John 11:6 KJV shows the nature of Thomas, that of despair, but Thomas was also brave and loyal.
Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with Him.
(Jesus on His way to Bethany)

John 14:1-6 KJV
[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.
[2] In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
[4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

[5] Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

Doubting Thomas
John 20:18-31 KJV
[18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
[19] Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
[20] And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
[21] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.
[22] And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
[23] Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
[24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
[25] 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.
[26] 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.
[27] 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.
[28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
[29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
[30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:
[31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

Church tradition claims that Thomas preached in Babylon, India and Persia. Thomas became a fearless missionary, and church builder.
Some state that he evangelized Malabar the coast area of India.
Thomas was supposed martyred at Madras, buried at Mylapore, by a lance (spearing), approximately A.D. 72

James 1:12 KJV
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

Revelation 2:10 KJV
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.