Thomas

Thomas was his Hebrew name and Didymus was his Greek name.  Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us nothing about Thomas except his name. However, John defines him more clearly in his Gospel. Thomas appeared in the raising of Lazarus (John 11:2-16), in the Upper Room (John 14:1-6) where he wanted to know how to know the way where Jesus was going. In John 20:25, he proclaimed that unless he saw the nail prints in Jesus' hand and the gash of the spear in His side he would not believe. (Hence his becoming known as "Doubting Thomas").

Thomas was a pessimist and sometimes a bewildered man. Yet, he was a man of courage who proved his devotion and faith. When Jesus rose, he came back and invited Thomas to put his finger in the nail prints in his hands and in his side. Here, we see Thomas making the greatest confession of faith, "My Lord and my God," and Thomas' doubts were transformed into faith.

While the Bible tells us little about him, Thomas’ cautious approach to believing in the resurrection laid the foundation for evidence-based faith and for the Protestant teaching of sola fide, or faith alone. And even though he lived 2,000 years ago, Thomas also serves as a foil for Christians today—those who have not seen and yet have believed.

It is said that he was commissioned to build a palace for the king of India, and he was killed with a spear as a martyr for his Lord.