The Acts of Thomas: A New Way of Seeing

Let’s dive into The Acts of Thomas or The Coptic Gospel of Thomas. (Click here to read the full text.) This is one of my favorites of the Gnostic texts. Often called a “sayings gospel,” it stands out because it’s not a narrative like other gospels in the New Testament. Instead, it’s a collection of 114 sayings attributed to Yeshua (Jesus), and it offers an intimate glimpse into what could be described as direct teachings or insights meant for those who are ready to receive them.

Right off the bat, The Acts of Thomas feels like an invitation to see the world—and ourselves—differently. It’s not so much about rules or commandments but rather about allowing a deeper understanding of who we really are. Yeshua’s words here aren’t meant to be analyzed with the mind; they’re designed to resonate within our own inner knowing. This is where the gospel gets exciting—it’s like Yeshua is inviting us to discover the truth for ourselves, rather than handing us a neatly wrapped answer.

Take the first saying as an example:

“Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death.”

Now, isn’t that an intriguing way to begin? It feels like Yeshua is encouraging us to go beyond the surface of things. What is death here? Is it just the physical body’s end, or is it the limited way we perceive ourselves? There’s a beautiful, open space to interpret what it means to truly live—perhaps, it’s inviting us to step into the realization that we are far more than we’ve been led to believe.

The Kingdom is Within You

One of the central themes in The Gospel of Thomas is the idea that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is not a distant place but something deeply intimate and accessible:

“The Kingdom is inside you and it is outside you.”

This is a powerful reminder that what we’re often seeking externally—peace, fulfillment, or connection—already here within us. It’s a message that many of us need to hear, especially when the world can feel overwhelming. Yeshua is pointing us back to ourselves, inviting us to trust in the inner light we carry. What if the search for “heaven” was never about a physical destination but rather about awakening to our true nature?

The Journey to Realization

One of my favorite sayings in The Gospel of Thomas is:

“When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty.”

This speaks so directly to what Realization is all about—knowing ourselves, not just as human beings but as something more expansive. The idea that knowing yourself leads to the Divine feels profound. It’s almost as if the moment we recognize our own divinity, the universe mirrors that recognition back to us. We’re not just passive observers; we’re active participants in a divine dance of creation.

And yet, this Realization isn’t about accumulating knowledge or spiritual achievements. It’s more about peeling away the layers of conditioning, beliefs, and fears that have kept us from seeing ourselves clearly. Yeshua’s teachings here seem to emphasize simplicity—just know yourself. It’s a journey inward, where the real treasure lies.

Returning to Simplicity

One of the things I love about The Gospel of Thomas is its simplicity. It doesn’t ask us to follow a complicated set of rules or practices. In fact, it feels like Yeshua is encouraging us to trust in what’s already within us. He reminds us that the truth is often found in the simplest of places:

“His disciples said to him, ‘When will the kingdom come?’ Jesus said, ‘It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is.’ Rather, the kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and people do not see it.'”

There’s such a gentle invitation here to stop searching outside ourselves for what’s already present. The Kingdom is here, now. It’s in every breath, in every moment of stillness, in every connection we feel with others and the world around us. We just have to open our eyes and hearts to it.

A Living, Breathing Truth

What stands out to me in The Gospel of Thomas is how alive these sayings feel. They’re not locked in time; they speak directly to our experience of life today. In a way, this gospel is less about doctrine and more about offering wisdom that invites us into our own discovery.

This aligns beautifully with the experiences we explore on The New Gnostic. It’s about awakening to who we are—not by following someone else’s path but by recognizing the truth that is already within us. Yeshua’s words here aren’t about creating more spiritual practices or rules to follow; they’re about allowing ourselves to awaken to the divine presence that is already here, inside us.

Final Thoughts

As you reflect on these sayings, let them resonate within you. The Gospel of Thomas is a powerful reminder that awakening is an internal process. It’s about remembering the truth of who we are, beyond the layers of our human identity. And most importantly, it’s a gentle invitation to live that truth—not as something to strive for but as something we already are.

So, take a deep breath. Allow these words to be a gentle companion on your journey. And remember, the Kingdom is already here, just waiting to be discovered.