(John 11:11-16) 11 He said these things, and after this he said to them: "Laz´a·rus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep." 12 Therefore the disciples said to him: "Lord, if he has gone to rest, he will get well." 13 Jesus had spoken, however, about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14 At that time, therefore, Jesus said to them outspokenly: "Laz´a·rus has died, 15 and I rejoice on YOUR account that I was not there, in order for YOU to believe. But let us go to him." 16 Therefore Thomas, who was called The Twin, said to his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
(John 11:42-46) . . ." 43 And when he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: "Laz´a·rus, come on out!" 44 The [man] that had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his countenance was bound about with a cloth. Jesus said to them: "Loose him and let him go." 45 Therefore many of the Jews that had come to Mary and that beheld what he did put faith in him; 46 but some of them went off to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did."
Thomas, an apostle, saw Lazurus get resurrected... Who of US have seen ANYONE get resurrected?
(John 20:24-25) 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called The Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 Consequently the other disciples would say to him: "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will certainly not believe."
Did Thomas get shunned? disfellowshipped for "disunity"? After all, didn't he see MANY things that we did not? He KNEW Jesus! We have NEVER spoken to Jesus personally, or witnessed miracles, or even USED H.S. to do them ourselves...
Why wasn't Thomas told "You are being disrespectful?"
"You are speaking ill of our fellow Christians?"
"Thomas, we must preserve our unity!"
"Jehovah's name will be reproached by the way you are talking"
"The "Governing Body" is going to hear about this!?!"
"We are setting up a Judicial Committee meeting of three brothers to straighten you out"
LET'S SEE WHAT GOD'S SON HIMSELF DID......
(John 20:26-29) 26 Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: "May YOU have peace." 27 Next he said to Thomas: "Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop being unbelieving but become believing." 28 In answer Thomas said to him: "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him: "Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe."
Jesus is the opposite of "God's Organization"........
Jesus did not need to bully people into believing ("Your family will shun you if you don't accept everything the 'uninspired', non miracle producing, "Organization of God on Earth" says")
Jesus let's people ask questions.
...OUTLAW
