The initial converts to Christianity were Jews or proselytes to Judaism, and the church was centered in Jerusalem. Because of this, Christianity was seen at first as a Jewish sect, akin to the Pharisees, the Sadducees, or the Essenes. However, what the apostles preached was radically different from what other Jewish groups were teaching.
Waumini wa awali wa Ukristo walikuwa Mayahudi au waongofu kwa Wayahudi, na kanisa lilikuwa katika Yerusalemu. Kwa sababu hiyo, Ukristo ulionekana kwanza kama dhehebu la Wayahudi, sawa na Mafarisayo, Masadukayo, au Waeseni. Hata hivyo, chenye Mitume walikihubiri mara kwa kiasi kikubwa ni tofauti na yale makundi mengine ya Wayahudi walikuwa wakifundisha.