yes for sure people in the days of Jesus believed because of the miracles of healing, and raising of the dead, and all the other miracles He did while living in the flesh. i just didn't think Jesus was saying to Thomas there would be no more miracles, blatant or otherwise, in the ages to come. the same Holy Spirit of God the Father abides in us that abided in the apostles, even thomas. perhaps it all comes down to what one believes miracles to be, i.e. how one defines a miracle. i believe Jesus was reproving thomas, who surely had been a witness to many of the miracles Jesus performed. one who Jesus had called to be an apostle. so IMO the verse was more addressed to one of His own (and those to come in the other ages) who believe in the Gospel of the Kingdom but may be weaker in spirit, and ask Christ to confirm and reassure their faith in Him. to be who He says He is, and do what He says He has done, and all He says He will do. remember, according to the scriptures, and ray also, even the apostles were not yet converted until after Pentacost had come, and they all received the Holy Spirit.
but yes, Jesus was saying there will be those who will believe in Him, without seeing any proof in the physical. and blessed they are.
claudia
*edit: as believers we are exhorted to walk by faith, not by sight. that's what i think the story of Thomas was about. not that some in the ages to come would not believe unless they saw a miracle.