Considering the Apostle Thomas in Chennai

With our PFC missions trip less than ten days away, I am praying for what and who we will see and the great things the Lord will do all around us.

I will be traveling with Greg Von Tobel, Don Szolomayer, and Scott Minter on February 16-March 1 to Lucknow and Chennai, India.  

This short-term global encounter will focus heavily on conferences to pastors and new prison volunteers.  We are also planning on visiting three prisons.

Lucknow, population 4.6 million, is known as a seat of Shi'ism and the epitome of Shia culture in India. It is famous for Muharram and associated azadari movement. Chennai, population 8 million, is predominantly Brahmin.

Most sites recognize a Christian presence across India of 2 to 3% facing multiple levels of persecution as Hindus and other sects seek to win back those who were converted to Christ.

Basilica of St. Thomas in Chennai

The Apostles Thomas and Bartholomew appear to have carried out a missionary outreach together around southern India, near Chennai.  We are planning to visit the Basilica of St. Thomas where he is buried.  I am not sure how we will see it or what my reaction will be.

How seriously did the apostles take Christ's command to "make disciples of all nations," from Matthew 28:19-20?

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”   ~Acts 1:8

In my prior studies on the apostles, I focused on their martyrdom experiences.  They took the Great Commission very seriously.  They obeyed.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, they made disciples of all nations.

Historians Hippolytus and Eusebius record that Thomas was an active missionary, and that he met his fate in India.  He preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and Margians, and was thrust through in the four members of his body with a pine spear at Calamene, (Chennai) India, and was buried there.

The power of the Spirit to get beyond ourselves
Most of us are complex, and may be similar to Thomas.  He had dark, doubting side.  He also had a faith-declaring, and disciple-making sides.  The Holy Spirit rested on him and filled him.  The Lord used him as a missionary to reach a part of the international stage for the Kingdom God.  He obeyed the Great Commission, despite whatever weaknesses he possessed.

There are so many reasons to stay home to keep what we believe private.  Some struggle to share saving truth with a neighbor or co-worker.  Even if a friend asks, you and I might wilt under dark moments of pessimism.  Like Thomas, the power of God changes everything.  The Lord let him get up close and touch Him.

Thomas had a dark side
In John 11, Thomas showed a dark side to Jesus after He prepared to to go Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead.  Jesus wanted to build their faith.  Mary and Martha told them about the death of Lazarus. The disciples warned Jesus about the Jews who tried to stone Him before. 


Then Jesus therefore said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”  
~John 11:14-16 ESV

Thomas was fearful really bad things would happen if they went back to Judea.  If Jesus was stoned to death, this time, he and all the disciples might die, as well.  They were all about to see  one of the greatest miracles in the entire Bible.  Christ was taking action to deepen their faith.  Fear gripped the heart of Thomas.  He saw the hard, worst side of his journey with Christ.  His pessimism showed itself again.

Thomas had a doubting side
We remember the account of Christ's post-resurrection appearances in John's gospel.  When Jesus first appeared to the disciples, Thomas was not present.  Jesus knew what Thomas had said and He set out to build his faith for the work he would do.

My Lord and my God!

"Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 

Thomas had a declaring side
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”"     ~John 20:19-29 ESV

Thomas had a disciple-making side
In Acts 1 and 2, we find Thomas remained with the apostles after the ascension of Christ as they awaited for the promised work of the Holy Spirit.  He was together with the apostles when the Holy Spirit rested and filled them.  Those present reported the apostles declared in their own tongues the mighty works of God, Acts 2:1-12.

Thomas walks off the New Testament stage but historians report he was an obedient worker to take the message of eternal life around the world. A version of the gospel not in the Canon of Scripture is attributed to him, as well. 

As noted in several sites, Thomas is traditionally believed to have sailed to India in 52 AD to spread the Christian faith among the Jews, the Jewish diaspora present in Kerala at the time. He is supposed to have landed at the ancient port of Muziris (which became extinct in 1341 AD due to a massive flood which realigned the coasts) near Kodungalloor. 

Basilica burial site of Thomas in Chennai

He traveled to Palayoor (near present-day Guruvayoor), a Hindu priestly community. He left Palayoor in AD 52 for the southern part of what is now Kerala State, where he established the Ezharappallikal, or "Seven and Half Churches". 

These churches are at Kodungallur, Kollam, Niranam (Niranam Jerusalem Marthoma Church), Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakkayal (Paravoor), Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and Thiruvithancode Arappally – the half church.^{[citation needed]}

"It was to a land of dark people he was sent, to clothe them by Baptism in white robes. His grateful dawn dispelled India's painful darkness. It was his mission to espouse India to the One-Begotten. The merchant is blessed for having so great a treasure. Edessathus became the blessed city by possessing the greatest pearl India could yield. Thomas works miracles in India, and at Edessa Thomas is destined to baptize peoples perverse and steeped in darkness, and that in the land of India." – Hymns of St. Ephraem, edited by Lamy (Ephr. Hymni et Sermones, IV).

So, how serious are you and I about obeying the Great Commission?  Are you a Thomas?  You might have a pessimistic, dark, and doubting side.  A personal encounter with Jesus can change everything.  The filling of the Spirit can change everything.  Our obedience and heart to be changed could get us beyond ourselves to be used for His Kingdom in astounding ways.  The Lord may choose to use you in your neighbor, on your job, or somehow across the world.