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Thomas's source of faith [although he may not have known it then] was not in the testimony of others, but in the multitude of prophetic Old Testament scriptures that pertain to the coming of the Messiah and to the portrayals of His imagery. Peter refers to this as "...a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed..."[2Pe.1.19] - proof that affirms, evidence of things unseen. The substance of our faith, and Thomas's, and the salvation of all mankind, then and now, lies totally in the person of Jesus Christ as revealed by the Holy Scriptures, not by the testimonies or supernatural experiences of others.
Jesus told Thomas,"Blessed are they that have not seen..."[Jn 20.29]. Thomas could not share in the excitement of his friends. They had seen the risen Lord but he had not. Thomas demanded more than just their word. He wanted evidence. Does this mean that Thomas was short on faith? Thomas's predicament was not that he lacked faith but that he couldn't believe his friends. Jesus was not being critical of Thomas. He was stating a fact that would apply to all the world. It is the word of faith that removes doubt and gives spiritual rebirth, not eyewitness accounts, because as it was in the days of Thomas, and as it is today; "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God."[Rom.10.17].
home
page one - The Gift of God
page two - "increase our faith"
page four - Eternal Security
page five - A New Law
page six - His Presence
page seven - Brightness
page eight - Caleb
page nine - Palliation of Sin
page ten - The Light of Hope
page eleven - Rapture