When Stephen was questioned as to the truth of the charges against him, he began his defense in a clear, thrilling voice, which rang through the council hall. He proceeded to rehearse the history of the chosen people of God, in words that held the assembly spellbound. He showed a thorough knowledge of the Jewish economy, and the spiritual interpretation of it, now made manifest through Christ. He repeated the words of Moses, which foretold of Christ, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear." He made plain his own loyalty to God and to the Jewish faith, while he showed that the law in which the Jews trusted for salvation had not been able to save Israel from idolatry. He connected Jesus Christ with all the Jewish history. He referred to the building of the temple by Solomon, and to the words of both Solomon and Isaiah: "Howbeit, the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands." "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Have not my hands made all these things?" The place of God's highest worship is in heaven.

Da Stefanus blev spurgt, om anklagerne imod ham var sande, begyndte han sit forsvar med høj og klar stemme, der gav genlyd i retssalen. Han gik over i det udvalgte folks historie, med ord som holdt forsamlingen fortryllet. Han udviste grundig kundskab om jødernes husholdning, og den åndelige fortolkning af den, som nu var manifesteret gennem Kristus. Han gentog Moses ord, som forudsagde Kristus: »En profet som mig vil Gud lade fremstå for jer, en af jeres brødre; ham skal I høre.« Han gør sin egen loyalitet til Gud klar og for den jødiske tro, medens han viste at den lov som jøderne troede frelste, var ikke i stand til at frelse Israel fra afguderi. Han forband Jesus Kristus med al den jødiske historie. Han referede til Salomons tempelbygning, og til både Salomons og Esajas ord: ”Dog, den Højeste bor ikke i huse, gjorte med hænder.” ”Himlen er min trone og jorden mine fødders skammel. Hvad for et hus vil I bygge mig? siger Herren, eller hvor er stedet, jeg skulle hvile på?” Stedet for Guds højeste tilbedelse er i himlen.