The book of Acts describes Christians as followers of The Way. This is significant, since the apostle Paul refers to the ‘way of life’ in Christ Jesus (1 Cor 4.17; 2 Tim 3.10). Followers of Jesus Christ do not merely subscribe to a set of beliefs or doctrines. To follow Jesus Christ is not restricted to obedience to a set of rules and commands, whilst avoiding certain sins and errors. We follow a real person Jesus Christ in His way.
Six times in Acts we find this phrase, ‘the Way;’
Acts 9.1-2: He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,
Acts 19.9: But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. (referring to Paul’s experience at Ephesus.)
Acts 19.23: About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. (Again referring to Paul in Ephesus.)
Acts 22.4: I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death (of Paul’s own life.)
Acts 24.14: I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, (of Paul’s own life)
Acts 24.22: Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,
The phrase implies a life at odds with the prevailing cultures of the day. The phrase implies an identifiable group of people; these people followed the Way and belonged to the Way. The phrase also implies a journey and a destination.
Paul’s testimony through these verses is clear; ‘I was a persecutor: now I am a follower.’