Acts 24:14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

The Greek word for sect here is haíresis, hah’-ee-res-is; from G138; properly, a choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion:—heresy (which is the Greek word itself), sect. But the root word for that is aírō, ah’-ee-ro; a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare H5375) to expiate sin:—away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).

The Way is the only sect that leads us to the root of the problem, how to atone for all sin, for all mankind, forever.

The KJV uses the word heresy only because the Jewish teachers in those days called it heresy.

Paul tells Felix the truth. “I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets.” It was all there, all the time but lacked perfect understanding which can only come from the Author.

Now we struggle with our limited minds and influences that are not God. If we are to seek the truth in these matters, we must hear it from God Himself. This we cannot do without His help.

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Hearing by faith is like learning a new language. It takes practice, patience and faith in Christ, not faith in effort. We must allow the Helper to change the way we think.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The purpose has to be to seek God’s will or this will not work. Seeking knowledge for knowledge’s sake is circular thinking that leads nowhere.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.

These passages from Mark 11 are not a parable but a figurative lesson. Pun not intended.

Hosea 9:10

Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your fathers. But they came to Baal-peor and consecrated themselves to the thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved.

Jeremiah 24:5

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.

These scriptures compare Israel to fig trees. The lesson of the fig tree applies to Israel.

At the time that Jesus examines the fig tree, early April perhaps, He would not have expected ripe fruit, but with young leaves there would be a bud ready to blossom and later bear fruit. He found none and cursed the tree.

Matthew 24:32

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.”

Seeing that there was no sign in Israel of what was coming, that Israel was not ready to bear fruit unto righteousness, Jesus cursed the tree figuratively cursing Israel that they would not produce fruits of righteousness. 

Galatians 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

Since no one has ever obeyed all 613 laws except Jesus, then faith in Him is the only Way.