Early Christians were followers of Jesus Christ who began to form communities after his death around the 1st century AD. They believed in the teachings of Jesus and the message of love, forgiveness, and salvation. These early believers often met in homes and shared meals, prayers, and teachings, creating a sense of community and support among themselves. As the movement grew, early Christians faced persecution from both Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire. Despite this, they spread their beliefs through missionary work, with figures like Paul the Apostle playing a significant role in establishing churches and writing letters that would later become part of the New Testament.