Raymond Brown divides the early Jesus Movement (later known as Christianity) into four major theological strands (see his Antioch and Rome, pp. 2-8, for further information):

1. Jewish Christians (with Gentile converts) of the strict observance kept all the Laws as Jews normally did (i.e., circumcision, kosher laws, regulations for Temple worship, festivals and calendar observances). This is the view of at least some parties in the church of Jerusalem.  In terms of missionary appeal, this view does not seem to have spread much beyond Jerusalem, because of the physical necessity of the Temple for carrying out the practices of this community. This view would be most attractive to the elite (e.g., the scribal class), who have the time and money to carry out such observances, and to study the Law in detail.
2. Jewish Christians (with Gentile proselytes) of the moderate observance kept a small selection of the Law (including the Ten Commandments, the calendar, festivals, and the minimum kosher regulations mentioned in Acts 15:20). This appears to be the view of the Lukan community, and Luke also attributes it to Peter, James II, and John.  People who had this view of the Law did missionary work in Syria (especially Damascus and Antioch). The church in Antioch, which Peter headed for a time, held to this view. James II became the leader of the church in Jerusalem, so this view would have affected people in that geographical area as well. This view also seems to have held some appeal for the Christians in Galatia, for cultural reasons. The community that produced Matthew's gospel seems to fit in this group.
3. Jewish Christians (with Gentile proselytes) of the minimal observance retained only the Ten Commandments from the Jewish Law, and probably the Jewish understanding of incest regulations.  This is the view of Paul and his churches, which are spread throughout Asia Minor, Galatia, and Macedonia. Paul was a "convert" from Pharisaism, and was of the artisan class. He tells us, especially in 1 Corinthians, that most of his converts are of the plebian ("peasant") class.
4. The radical Hellenist view included a total rejection of the Law and circumcision, and a repudiation of the Temple cult.  Acts 7 indicates that Steven was one of the leaders of this group. He is portrayed as the primary spokesperson for them, and as being victim of a mob lynching because of his preaching about Jesus as replacing the Temple. He becomes the first of Jesus' followers to be martyred in this "first persecution."  After the death of Steven, others among the radical Hellenist group fled Jerusalem. Some of them went to Alexandria (in Egypt), and some went to Syria (esp. Damascus), bringing with them their version of Jesus' message.