Complete Forgiveness

We as Jesus Name Holy Ghost filled believers desire to be Christ-like. When it comes to forgiveness, do we say, "I forgave that person, but they are going to have to answer to God for what they did."?

If we REALLY forgive someone, we will say, "Lord, forgive them for what they have done to me – totally erase it from their account."

God did not demand justice for us for what we have done. Instead, He died in our place, paying the price of our sins. When we repented of our sins and were baptized in His name Jesus for the remission of our sins, He completely forgave us, totally erasing our sin from our record and filling us with the gift of His Holy Ghost.

Stephen was baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost. Stephen was Christ-like. This is what the Bible says about Stephen:

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." - Acts 6:8

There were some that rose up against Stephen, disputing with him, stirring up the people, bringing him to the council, and setting up false witnesses against him. (Acts 6:9-15) When Stephen gave his testimony of Jesus, the leaders were furious and went into a rage. They threw him out of the city. (Acts 7:1-58)

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." - Acts 7:59-60 (He died but would awake at the rapture).

Stephen was innocent, yet they killed him. He did not ask God for justice. In fact, Stephen went beyond forgiving the people that stoned him to death: he asked God to not charge them with this sin.

Stephen did not want God to take vengeance on these people and judge them for their sin against him. Stephen did not ask for justice for what they did – instead, Stephen wanted God to TOTALLY ERASE THEIR SIN AGAINST HIM FROM THEIR RECORD, not charging them for his murder.

This is true and complete forgiveness.