The Thomasines identified themselves as "children of the light", contrasting this with those not part of the elect community, who were considered "sons of darkness".

The choice to follow Jesus is considered significant, as judgment is perceived to be ongoing in the world, and there is a notion that the universe may conclude at any moment.

However, certain passages in the Gospel of Thomas may suggest aspects of divine characteristics attributed to Jesus.

[16] Many scholars historically linked the Gospel of Thomas to Gnosticism, but contemporary research has questioned this relationship.

Additionally, the form of mysticism present in the Gospel of Thomas lacks several elements typically associated with Gnosticism.

[2] According to Andrew Phillip, the Thomasines did not adhere to a form of Gnosticism, but they still held to strongly esoteric views with apparent Platonic influence.