The interesting thing is the movement of how a young Jewish sect blossomed into a world-wide phenomenon. I think when the young church argued over the idea of Gentiles being circumcised was a turning point in the church.

When Paul argued to remove the restriction that the church based in Jerusalem wanted to maintain as another tie to the Jewish community. When Paul's faction of the church seemed to prevail, the explosion of converts across the Mediterranean was evident.

Whereas, Jesus was the core of the message and his followers were keepers of the flame--Paul was the true mass marketer of the campaign.

So while ties in the first 100 years to the Jewish community was strong as the original apostles and members were Jewish as was Jesus and all of his family, the message seemed to quickly transcend the ties to the Jewish faith.

This is why Christianity and Islam still owe a great debt to the Hebrews/Jewish faith as the religion from which they sprang.

If you look up the meaning of (small c) catholic-- it means universal. Though this term was not in use for many hundreds of years later for the name of the group of the followers of The Way, it is highlighted in Paul's acceptance of the sending the message to the gentiles.

Unfortunately-- if you need me to cite any of this that was meshed in my brain-- I would have to do a bit of research.

This would mark the transition form Jewish Christians to Pauline Christians. And I have wondered which thread would be more appropriate. :)