But while they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (59). It was the moment of death. But Stephen was not overcome by the power of death. He saw Jesus right there with him. He joyfully surrendered his spirit to Jesus. As stones were flying from every direction, he bent his knees to the ground and with a loud voice he cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (60) The love of God so filled his soul at his death as Jesus prayed for his murderers in Luke 23:34a, “Father, forgive them.” Stephen’s heart was filled with God’s love. There was no bitterness in Stephen. There was no vengeance in Stephen. There was only the grace of forgiveness in Stephen. He truly wanted his enemies to be forgiven and to enter the same glorious rapture that he himself was entering.