Ebionites

From the Hebrew root 'Ebion', which means poor, oppressed or humble.

An early Jewish Christian sect that lived in and around Judea and Palestine from the 1st to the 4th century. Some theologians believe that the Ebionites (or their predecessors) formed the original Christian movement. They included the people who knew Jesus best: his disciples and family, and were led by Peter and James.

The Ebionites rejected Paul's writings, believing him to be an apostate from the Mosaic Law. They denied the deity of Jesus, viewing him as the final and greatest prophet. Most rejected the virgin birth, and believed that Joseph and Mary were Jesus' parents. The members were scattered during uprisings circa 70 and 134 AD, and died out by the 5th century.