Why does Stephen call the Sanhedrin "brothers and fathers"?
Acts 7:2 (ESV)
2And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
Stephen politely asks the Sanhedrin to give him a fair hearing. With the use of the term brother he identifies them as fellow Jews1 whereas father shows respect for their authority.2
2 And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,