As Stephen reminded the Jewish authorities of their history, he spoke of Abraham,

“Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs” (Acts 7:8).

By circumcision the Lord set Abraham and his descendants through Isaac apart from the rest of the world, and multiplied their numbers greatly, fulfilling the Lord’s promise to Abraham to make his descendants numberless, at least from a human standpoint.

Yet, Stephen showed that Israel’s history also included the constant rejection of people whom the Lord accepted, culminating in the rejection of Jesus Christ.

Be careful not to reject someone whom God accepts.