apostle Paul Went after the followers of 'the way' to punish them but he becomes their spokesperson after all
Many who claim to believe in Jesus are very vocal in calling themselves Christians while the First Believers were called a SECT because the new movement for Jesus was formed from JUDAISM. Yes, they were also called Christians. However, their religion was not called Christianity, according to Apostle Paul in Acts 24:14, but THE WAY.
The name of the SECT is 'THE WAY', according to its occurrences in the book of Acts, particularly in the confession of belief of Apostle Paul in Acts 24:14, in which verse we get acquainted with the core belief of the First Believers. Obviously, they believe in all the Old Testament (Moses, Prophets), including in the commandments to keep the seventh day sabbath and to not eat pork, et cetera.
Understanding the categorization of the Sect (heresy or sect, because new doctrine from Judaism) of the first believers: one of the schools of thought within Judaism such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees. As adherents of the new teaching, the first believers were individually called the Nazarenes, Christians. The movement or the group itself was called THE WAY in English, not Christianity.
The Sect of the Apostles was very infamous and despised, even by Christians today.
The true believers in Jesus are Mosaic law-abiding Disciples, Nazarenes, Christians, Witnesses
of Jesus the Nazarene, including those born before Jesus such as Adam and Eve, Abraham, David, et cetera. Acts 1:8; 24:5,14, 1 Peter 1:10-12
Leviticus 18:1-2 ASV
(1) And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
(2) Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am Jehovah your God.
Leviticus 18:3-5 ASV
(3) After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do; neither shall ye walk in their statutes.
(4) Mine ordinances shall ye do, and my statutes shall ye keep, to walk therein: I am Jehovah your God.
(5) Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am Jehovah.
Matthew 9:37 ASV
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few.
Luke 10:2 ASV
And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.