"My mother was a lover of flowers and took much pleasure in cultivating them and thus making her home attractive and pleasant for her children. But our garden had never before looked so lovely to me as upon the day of our return. I recognized an expression of the love of Jesus in every shrub, bud, and flower. These things of beauty seemed to speak in mute language of the love of God. 1T 19.1"
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"
The EGW passage describes recognizing God's love in nature, mirroring Romans 1:20 which states that God's invisible qualities are understood through creation. The connection is strong and meaningful.
"There was a beautiful pink flower in the garden called the rose of Sharon. I remember approaching it and touching the delicate petals reverently; they seemed to possess a sacredness in my eyes. My heart overflowed with tenderness and love for these beautiful creations of God. I could see divine perfection in the flowers that adorned the earth. God tended them, and His all-seeing eye was upon them. He had made them and called them good. 1T 19.2"
"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."
The phrase 'He had made them and called them good' directly echoes the creation account where God declared His creations good.
"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."
EGW mentions the 'rose of Sharon' which is a direct reference to Song of Solomon 2:1. While the context differs, the explicit mention confirms a connection.
"“Ah,” thought I, “if He so loves and cares for the flowers that He has decked with beauty, how much more tenderly will He guard the children who are formed in His image.” I repeated softly to myself: “I am a child of God, His loving care is around me. I will be obedient and in no way displease Him, but will praise His dear name and love Him always.” 1T 19.3"
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
The phrase 'formed in His image' directly alludes to the creation of humans in God's image.
"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:"
The passage echoes the sentiment of God's care for the lilies of the field, implying an even greater care for humans.
"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"
The passage draws a parallel between God's care for birds and flowers and His care for humans.
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
Both passages encourage focusing on heavenly or spiritual matters rather than earthly ones. EGW's phrase 'enduring attractions of heaven' aligns with Colossians 3:2's call to set affection on things above.
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"
Both passages relate to a focus on heaven. While Philippians 3:20 speaks of citizenship in heaven and looking for Christ's return, EGW speaks of inclining the heart toward heaven. There is a thematic connection, though less direct than with Colossians 3:2.
"Soon after our return from the camp meeting, I, with several others, was taken into the church on probation. My mind was very much exercised on the subject of baptism. Young as I was, I could see but one mode of baptism authorized by the Scriptures, and that was immersion. Some of my Methodist sisters tried in vain to convince me that sprinkling was Bible baptism. The Methodist minister consented to immerse the candidates if they conscientiously preferred that method, although he intimated that sprinkling would be equally acceptable with God. 1T 19.5"
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"
The EGW passage discusses baptism by immersion, and Matthew 3:16 describes Jesus being baptized and coming 'up out of the water,' supporting the idea of immersion. It's not a direct quote, but a clear example used to support the practice.
"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."
The EGW passage discusses baptism by immersion, and Acts 8:38 describes Philip and the eunuch going 'down into the water' for baptism, supporting the idea of immersion. It's not a direct quote, but a clear example used to support the practice.
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
The EGW passage discusses the importance of immersion as a form of baptism, contrasting it with sprinkling. While Romans 6:4 doesn't explicitly argue for immersion, the imagery of being 'buried' with Christ in baptism strongly supports the idea of immersion. The EGW passage amplifies the understanding of baptism as a symbolic burial and resurrection, aligning with the theme in Romans 6:4.