Acts 7:2

And he said, " Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,

1. In his response Stephen begins with:

1. Regard for the council and the people listening - Brethren and fathers

2. Requesting attention - listen

3. Respect for God - The God of glory (Our Glorious God)

4. Refection to their origin - Our father Abraham

2. Mesopotamia - means "between the rivers" and refers to the land now known as Iraq. At various times in the Bible this territory is called Babylon, Chaldea, and Mesopotamia.

3. Abraham was often referred to as the "father of the Faithful." The Jews placed great value in their heritage and bloodline. Abraham was the beginning of the Jewish race. See Romans 4:18.