Going off of memory here, the Cathars were a middle age gnostic Christian movement in Europe. They were declared heretics and wiped out. Gnostics believe in an almighty God the "Logos", a mother earth "Sophia" and a Demiurge.
It was very popular in the early church, but they too were declared heretics and wiped out, although some of their writings were saved at Nag Hammadii. Were they the true followers of Jesus? Well Pope Francis has warned about the dangers of Gnosticism so take from that what you will.