Definition and Meaning:
The term "doubted" refers to a state of uncertainty or lack of conviction. In the biblical context, doubt often pertains to a wavering faith or trust in God and His promises. It is a condition that can affect one's spiritual journey, leading to hesitation in belief or action.

Biblical Instances of Doubt:

1. Thomas the Apostle:
One of the most well-known instances of doubt in the Bible is that of Thomas, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. After Jesus' resurrection, Thomas expressed skepticism about the reports of Jesus being alive. He stated, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe" (John 20:25). Jesus later appeared to Thomas, inviting him to touch His wounds, leading Thomas to proclaim, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). This account highlights the struggle with doubt and the affirmation of faith through personal encounter with Christ.

2. Peter Walking on Water:
Another significant example is Peter's experience when Jesus walked on water. Peter initially stepped out of the boat in faith, but when he saw the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus immediately reached out to him and said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31). This incident illustrates how doubt can arise from fear and distraction, diverting focus from Christ.

3. The Disciples' Doubt:
Even after witnessing Jesus' resurrection, some of His disciples experienced doubt. In Matthew 28:17, it is recorded, "When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted" . This passage underscores that doubt can coexist with worship and belief, reflecting the complexity of human faith.

Theological Implications:

· Faith and Doubt:
Doubt is often seen as the antithesis of faith, yet it is a common human experience. The Bible acknowledges doubt but encourages believers to seek understanding and reassurance through prayer, Scripture, and the community of faith. James 1:6 advises, "But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind" .

· God's Response to Doubt:
The biblical narrative shows that God is patient and compassionate towards those who doubt. Jesus' response to Thomas and Peter demonstrates His willingness to meet individuals in their uncertainty and provide the evidence or reassurance needed to strengthen their faith.

· Encouragement to Overcome Doubt:
Believers are encouraged to overcome doubt by focusing on God's character and promises. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see" . This assurance is cultivated through a relationship with God and trust in His Word.

Practical Application:

· Prayer and Reflection:
In moments of doubt, believers are encouraged to turn to prayer and reflection on Scripture. Seeking God's guidance and wisdom can help clarify uncertainties and reinforce faith.

· Community Support:
Engaging with a community of believers provides support and encouragement. Sharing doubts and questions with others can lead to mutual edification and growth in faith.

· Focus on Christ:
Keeping one's focus on Jesus, as exemplified in the account of Peter walking on water, helps to mitigate doubt. By fixing our eyes on Christ, believers can navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life with confidence and trust.

How Pope Gregory ix, who had Doubted of the Stigmata of St Francis ...
... HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER LVIII HOW POPE
GREGORY IX, WHO HAD DOUBTED OF THE STIGMATA OF ST FRANCIS, WAS ASSURED OF THEIR ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter lviii how pope gregory.htm

That when once the Vanity of the Gods of the Nations Has Been ...
... Chapter 12."That When Once the Vanity of the Gods of the Nations Has Been Exposed,
It Cannot Be Doubted that They are Unable to Bestow Eternal Life on Any One ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 12 that when once the.htm

He Shows that Cyprian had not Doubted the Original Sin of Infants.
... Book III. Chapter 10 [V.]"He Shows that Cyprian Had Not Doubted the Original
Sin of Infants. Accordingly, it is not without reason ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 10 v he shows that.htm

Mr. Fearing Comforted
... I take it that Peter was a man of great faith. When others doubted, Peter believed. ...
The heart that hath never doubted has not yet learned to believe. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/mr fearing comforted.htm

The Master's Touch.
... And some doubted the accuracy of the auctioneer's statements. ... Still the
buyers doubted and criticised, as buyers have always done. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/the masters touch.htm

John is a Prophet, but not the Prophet.
... As, then, they doubted about John, whether he were not the Christ, [4863]
so they doubted whether he could not be the prophet. And ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/8 john is a prophet.htm

The Marvel Is, not that Men have Failed to Know Christ...
... 4. Even Christ's forerunner, though only in so far as representing the synagogue,
[2331] doubted concerning Him, even he who was appointed to go before the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i the marvel is.htm

The Four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, Thirteen Epistles of ...
... Apostles, thirteen Epistles of Saint Paul the First Epistle of John, and the First
of Peter, were received without doubt by those who doubted concerning the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section viii the four gospels.htm

The Bible
... As I hurried forward, with an awful speed, I began to doubt my very existence; I
doubted if there were a world, I doubted if there was such a thing as myself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the bible.htm

The Pastoral Epistles
... deficient. If many have doubted their genuineness, it was not because they
discovered that the early Church did not recognize them. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the pastoral epistles.htm

Doubted (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Doubted (5 Occurrences). Matthew 28:17 When they saw him,
they bowed down to him, but some doubted. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV). ...
/d/doubted.htm - 7k

Doubt (49 Occurrences)
... done. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 28:17 When they
saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted. (Root ...
/d/doubt.htm - 24k

Simon (75 Occurrences)
... The genuineness of this First Epistle has never been doubted, except of course by
those who in these latter days have doubted everything, but the same cannot ...
/s/simon.htm - 91k

Punishment (417 Occurrences)
... may be taken of the development of the doctrine of immortality in the Old Testament
(see ESCHATOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT), it will scarcely be doubted that it ...
/p/punishment.htm - 62k

Homage (51 Occurrences)
... And they coming up took him by the feet, and did him homage. (DBY). Matthew 28:17
And when they saw him, they did homage to him: but some doubted. (DBY). ...
/h/homage.htm - 21k

Unquestioned (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not called in question; not doubted. 2. (a.) Not
interrogated; having no questions asked; not examined or examined into. ...
/u/unquestioned.htm - 6k

Unwise (16 Occurrences)
... Unwise (16 Occurrences). Acts 19:36 So then, because these things may not be doubted,
it would be better for you to be quiet, and do nothing unwise. (BBE). ...
/u/unwise.htm - 10k

Japheth (12 Occurrences)
... Nor can it be doubted that he has thrown together under the one head of 'children
of Shem' the Assyrians (Asshur), the Syrians (Aram), the Hebrews (Eber), and ...
/j/japheth.htm - 15k

Levitical (19 Occurrences)
... Originally there seems to have been no discrepancy between the two verses, and it
may be doubted whether the intent was that the city was always to be in the ...
/l/levitical.htm - 20k

Grow (139 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests
heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. ...
/g/grow.htm - 34k

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