There were no Christians before Christ died.
Who's talking about "before Christ died?"
The Jews persecuted the Christians AFTER Christ died.
Paul was one of them. He was a Jewish Pharisee ( at the time he was named Saul) involved in the stoning of Stephen...the persecution and arrest of many other and was on his way to hunt down more Christians when he was converted.
Topquack;Don't just read the Bible, Jorge, talk to someone. You clearly need help in this class.
You obviously think you can compensate for your lack of knowledge, by posting juvenile insults.
The Bible says exactly what I claim it says and I can back it up with scriptural references.
Read and learn.
Actually I don't think there were any real Christians until after Jesus arose from the dead and showed himself to many. These people who saw him and believed he was the Son of God were the first Christians.
The Jews has no reason to persecute Christians until they boldly started proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost world after Jesus arose from the grave. Before he arose from the grave all abandoned him.