1. But our fathers refused to obey Moses (39-43)

Jewish pride was in the law of Moses but Stephen reminded them that throughout history, God's people had rejected his law and turned to idols. The idolatry that led to their eventual exile in Babylon had its root in the worship of the golden calf, at the same time Moses was first receiving the law on Mount Sinai. Stephen wanted people to understand they had nothing to be proud of and instead, always need God's mercy and forgiveness.

2. God does not live in houses made by human hands (44-50)

Like the law, God had given the people the pattern of the temple as a simple tent in the dessert. King David, out of sincere heart had asked if he might build a dwelling place for God but it was his son who eventually built it. Even then, Solomon understood the limitations of a building made by human hands. The Jews had put too much pride in a stone building, God wants his people to worship him in spirit and in truth.