God so loved India that He sent here one of the Twelve chosen apostles of His son, just within twenty years after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. In obedience to the Great Commission of the Lord, Thomas traveled thousands of miles and arrived in India around 52 A.D. What is recorded in the Scriptures about Thomas is very much thought provoking. .
When Jesus wanted to go to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead, His disciples dissuaded Him from going there since the Jews at Judea were planning to kill Him. Jesus was determined to go and Thomas made the prophetic statement, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John11:16). This prophecy was fulfilled a few decades later in his own life and in the lives of most of the disciples.
While Jesus was promising His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them, He told them that they knew where He is going and the way there. Thomas blurted out “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered to the whole mankind “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:5, 6)
Jesus never rebuked Thomas for doubting His resurrection. His special love is manifested by His appearance to the disciples when Thomas was also present and showing him His wounds. This great love makes Thomas to cry out “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus made the universal statement “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”(John 20:28, 29)
Thomas, doing his missionary work in India along the western coastal regions, arrived at the Malabar Coast (Kerala). He was able to convert many high caste Hindu families. He established many churches and trained the local converts to be church leaders. Many miracles were done through him and tradition says that he raised a few dead people to life. Traveling along the south coastal regions, he came up to Meilapore (Madras). His fame had already reached there and he was supported by the royal family. He also went to China for a few months and came back to Meilapore. Wherever he went he was able to convert many people to Christ. He went back to the Malabar Coast accepting the invitation of a local king. He founded many more new churches there. He came back to Meilapore where the Hindu leaders pierced him to death while praying in a mountain near Meilapore since he converted many people.
Traditional folk lore of the Thomas Christians expresses the strong belief that Apostle Thomas came to India with the gospel. Even while the events recorded in the Acts of the Apostles were taking place in and around Palestine and along the Mediterranean Sea coast, the acts of Thomas were taking place thousands of miles away along the coastal regions of south India.
It is said that Apostle Thomas ministered in India for a total of 17 years. The Government of India has recognized his apostolic work and has brought forth two stamps one in 1964 and another in 1975 in his memory.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit……..John12:24…..Jesus.
When Jesus wanted to go to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead, His disciples dissuaded Him from going there since the Jews at Judea were planning to kill Him. Jesus was determined to go and Thomas made the prophetic statement, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John11:16). This prophecy was fulfilled a few decades later in his own life and in the lives of most of the disciples.
While Jesus was promising His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them, He told them that they knew where He is going and the way there. Thomas blurted out “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered to the whole mankind “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:5, 6)
Jesus never rebuked Thomas for doubting His resurrection. His special love is manifested by His appearance to the disciples when Thomas was also present and showing him His wounds. This great love makes Thomas to cry out “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus made the universal statement “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”(John 20:28, 29)
Thomas, doing his missionary work in India along the western coastal regions, arrived at the Malabar Coast (Kerala). He was able to convert many high caste Hindu families. He established many churches and trained the local converts to be church leaders. Many miracles were done through him and tradition says that he raised a few dead people to life. Traveling along the south coastal regions, he came up to Meilapore (Madras). His fame had already reached there and he was supported by the royal family. He also went to China for a few months and came back to Meilapore. Wherever he went he was able to convert many people to Christ. He went back to the Malabar Coast accepting the invitation of a local king. He founded many more new churches there. He came back to Meilapore where the Hindu leaders pierced him to death while praying in a mountain near Meilapore since he converted many people.
Traditional folk lore of the Thomas Christians expresses the strong belief that Apostle Thomas came to India with the gospel. Even while the events recorded in the Acts of the Apostles were taking place in and around Palestine and along the Mediterranean Sea coast, the acts of Thomas were taking place thousands of miles away along the coastal regions of south India.
It is said that Apostle Thomas ministered in India for a total of 17 years. The Government of India has recognized his apostolic work and has brought forth two stamps one in 1964 and another in 1975 in his memory.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit……..John12:24…..Jesus.
3 comments:
Dear Periamma,
It's different view, I never thought about it;
'The conversation between Jesus, Our Lord and Thomas, the apostle'.
Innocent questions and Statements of Thomas, brought forth Universal Truth Statements. Loved it.
I would like cry out too, "My Lord and my God!".
---Jacinth---
Dear Mrs Yohapushpam, I saw you on NRIGIRLS friendship tree and wanted to stop by to say hello. I've enjoyed my visit and its been lovely to meet you. Best wishes PW (I'm the hedgehog on the tree).
Dear Tracy,
Thank you very much for your encouraging comment.I read your post on vicars and tarts.
From the word of God I understand carousing is not allowed for a Christian.
I always like to read book reviws and I shall read your reviews by and by.
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