Acts 7:9-33 God is faithful

Stephen uses Abraham, Joseph, and Moses to show that God was at work among His people before they possessed the land or had a temple—and that the people repeatedly resisted the men God chose.

Person Points Stephen makes in Acts 7
Abraham (vv. 2–8) God appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran or Canaan. God brought him into the land but gave him no inheritance there at that time. He promised the land to Abraham’s descendants, foretold their oppression in a foreign country, and promised to deliver them. God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision.
Joseph (vv. 9–16) Joseph’s brothers sold him into Egypt because of envy, but God was with him and raised him to authority there. When famine struck, the same brothers who had rejected Joseph depended on him for food. On their second visit, Joseph revealed himself to them, and Jacob’s family came to Egypt.
Moses (vv. 17–43) As the time of God’s promise approached, Israel was oppressed in Egypt. Moses tried to defend one of his people, but a fellow Israelite rejected his authority: “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?” Years later, God appeared to Moses in the wilderness and sent that same rejected man to deliver Israel. Even after the deliverance, the people refused to obey Moses, turned back toward Egypt in their hearts, and made the golden calf. Moses had also foretold that God would raise up a prophet like him.

Stephen’s point to the council: Their claim to Abraham, Moses, the land, and the temple does not by itself show that they are listening to God. Israel’s own history includes rejecting God’s chosen deliverers. Stephen brings that argument directly to the council in verses 51–52, accusing them of resisting the Holy Spirit and betraying and murdering the Righteous One.