Did St. Thomas receive the Holy Spirit/Apostolic Succession?

[Stylteralmaldo]

Read the conclusion to John’s Gospel and tell me what you think (bold in relevent parts for emphasis):
John 20:19-31:

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (Jesus) said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

I read somewhere else on the forum that we don’t know much about St. Thomas. I don’t deny he is a saint, but I wonder if he received the apostolic succession (priesthood) like the others since Scripture isn’t clear whether Jesus breathed on him.

What do we know from tradition regarding St. Thomas?

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Read the conclusion to John’s Gospel and tell me what you think (bold in relevent parts for emphasis):

I read somewhere else on the forum that we don’t know much about St. Thomas. I don’t deny he is a saint, but I wonder if he received the apostolic succession (priesthood) like the others since Scripture isn’t clear whether Jesus breathed on him.

What do we know from tradition regarding St. Thomas?

Mat 28:16 And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
Mat 28:17 And seeing him they adored: but some doubted.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

Act 1:26 And they gave them lot, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Act 2:14 But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you and with your ears receive my words.

Act 2:1 And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place:
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming: and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire: and it sat upon every one of them.

In Matthew 28, the number of disciples was 11. We know Judas was no longer with them at this point.

When the Apostles chose Matthias, he joined 11.

Peter stood up with the 11.

They were all together at Pentecost.

I believe Thomas was one of the Apostles, all of which were a part of Apostolic succession.

May the peace of the Lord be with you,
Prodigal Son1

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

Thank you for the responses.

(1) I wonder who they are referring to as a doubter in Matthew 28:17. Thomas perhaps? It would fit based on what we know of him. In Matthew, Jesus tells them to Baptize. However, I can baptize too (in an emergency) and I’m not a priest. I can certainly teach the faith as well (as a parent it is one of my responsibilities in the upbringing of my children).

(2) Your evidence in Acts 1:26 is pretty strong I think, especially considering what Acts 1:1-2 says (evidence bolded for emphasis):
Acts 1:1-2:

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

Acts 1:13 mentions Thomas by name as being in Jerusalem when they chose Matthias and then of course Matthias was chosen in Acts 1:26

(3) Your evidence in Acts 2:14 is pretty strong too given additional support to what was stated in Acts 1:26. This seems to be substantiated by Acts 2:43 since Thomas was one of the eleven and therefore also performed many wonders and signs. Although the verse doesn’t say **all **of the apostles but nor does it say some of the apostles.:
Acts 2:43:

Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

(4) The evidence in Acts 2:1-4 is a little weaker I think. It doesn’t really say who “they” were. My understanding is that Mary was there at Pentecost as well - and she wasn’t a priest with Apostolic Succession. I think Acts 1:13-14 is an indicator of who was at Pentecost:
Acts 1:13-14:

When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Thomas was there, but this was a different rendering of the Holy Spirit than the priestly function given at the end of John’s Gospel exclusively to the Apostles which then is clearer as to their different role as stated in Acts chapter 2 when Peter was evangelizing with the other Apostles.

But as I said, your evidence from Acts 1 & 2 is the strongest in my humble opinion. Thanks!

 

[Todd_Easton]

It seems to me that St. Thomas received the Holy Spirit, though he was absent from the assembly of apostles, as Eldad and Medad received some of the spirit that was on Moses, though they were absent from the assembly of elders. Numbers 11:16-30.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

That’s a pretty cool connection Todd Easton! Thomas may be a type of Eldad and Medad.

It also expresses the great mystery of our God. One theory is that Thomas received the Holy Spirit at a later time since he was absent for the initial gathering and another theory which certainly has Biblical basis is that Thomas received the Holy Spirit despite him being absent.

Thanks again, that’s a pretty awesome reflection.

 

[Spirithound]

That’s a pretty cool connection Todd Easton! Thomas may be a type of Eldad and Medad.

It also expresses the great mystery of our God. One theory is that Thomas received the Holy Spirit at a later time since he was absent for the initial gathering and another theory which certainly has Biblical basis is that Thomas received the Holy Spirit despite him being absent.

Thanks again, that’s a pretty awesome reflection.

It is possible that Thomas received the Holy Spirit from the other Apostles, as Matthias did.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Based on the fact that there are report Relics and psudegraphia written in his name, it would make sense that he likely recieved apostolic authority too.

newadvent.org/cathen/14658b.htm

 

[marymol]

ayrookuzhiyil.org/pakalomattam.html

The above link, while focused mostly on the Apostles’ work among ’ natives’ , it is tradition that he also converted many jewish families that had settled in the coastal areas of S.India - Holy Spirit indeed !

The Chicago Syro- Malabar diocese, the only diocese outside of Kerala , is celebrating the consecration of the Cathedral today )

And amazingly, the Archbishop is from this root family of Pakalomattam !

As to St.Thomas recieving the Holy Spirit , is it not very concievable that our Lord intended for him to recieve an abundance of The Spirit from His side that poured out the Spirit in the form of the Blood and Water !

May be even some connection in the closeness of July 3rd ( Feast of St.Thomas ) and July 4th - historians report that it is when the American colonies won independance , that British mills had to turn to India for the cotton .

Indian Independance in the design of Providence falls on August !5th - The Feast of Assumption , and again , tradition tells of the mantle / belt of our Bl.Mother being bestowed on St.Thomas who , supposedly was the only witness to her bodily assumption !

So, the Indians of two diffrent history and lands and all who inherited those lands being linked again …

May The Mighty winds blow again …to renew and refresh …to bring in the richness of faith and traditions …to be grateful… for the disciplne and blessings from fidelity , in honoring Mother Church …
St.Thomas , pray for us all !

Blessings !

 

[1ke]

I read somewhere else on the forum that we don’t know much about St. Thomas. I don’t deny he is a saint, but I wonder if he received the apostolic succession (priesthood) like the others since Scripture isn’t clear whether Jesus breathed on him.

What do we know from tradition regarding St. Thomas?

Jesus instituted the priesthood on Holy Thursday at the Last Supper (at which Thomas was in attendance) not at his post-resurrection appearance you quote from John.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

Jesus instituted the priesthood on Holy Thursday at the Last Supper (at which Thomas was in attendance) not at his post-resurrection appearance you quote from John.

I have heard this before. Is this actual Church teaching or is this speculation by theologians? Do you have some references regarding this to substantiate?

On a side note, the functionality of the priesthood would not have occurred until Pentecost (birthday of the Church). So in that sense, since Judas did live to see that day, I wonder if he was a valid priest. Or perhaps he was a valid priest but without any valid functions since he was not at Pentacost. Hmmm.