WAY, The

One of the names applied to the early Christian community (Acts 9:2). It was apparently used by both the Jewish and the secular community and appeared in both positive and negative assessments of the church (19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). Paul’s use of the term in his defense before Felix suggests that the name had at least quasiofficial acceptance (24:14, 22). Quite likely, the term came from Jesus’ own statement, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6).