Stephen begins his defense against the accusations for which he was arrested. He builds it on the history of the Jews from Scripture. He was accused of teaching that salvation had nothing to do with the land of Israel or the Temple worship. Stephen argues that the Church and its Blessings were bestowed on the people long before they reached the Promised Land or began the Temple Worship. Also, God delayed giving the land to the people - something He surely would not have done if it were necessary for salvation - but He also saved Abraham outside Canaan and only gave the land to his descendants.