"“This is high authority for our faith. Jesus and His apostles dwell upon the event of the second advent with joy and triumph; and the holy angels proclaim that Christ, who ascended to heaven, shall come again. This is our offense, believing the word of Jesus and His disciples. This is a very old doctrine, and bears no taint of heresy.” 1T 42.1"
"Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
The EGW passage mentions angels proclaiming that Christ will come again, echoing the scene in Acts 1:11 where angels announce Jesus' return in the same manner as His ascension.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
This is a duplicate of pair 1, and the reasoning is the same.
"The minister did not attempt to refer to a single text that would prove us in error, but excused himself on the plea of a want of time. He advised us to quietly withdraw from the church and avoid the publicity of a trial. We were aware that others of our brethren were meeting with similar treatment for a like cause, and we did not wish it understood that we were ashamed to acknowledge our faith, or were unable to sustain it by Scripture; so my parents insisted that they should be acquainted with the reasons for this request. 1T 42.2"
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
The EGW passage highlights the importance of being able to defend one's faith with Scripture. This aligns with the principle in 1 Peter 3:15, which encourages believers to be ready to give a reason for their hope. The passage shows the parents' desire to provide an answer for their beliefs, mirroring the biblical instruction.
"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;"
The EGW passage describes a situation where believers are being pressured to disavow their faith, and they refuse to be ashamed. This echoes the sentiment in 2 Timothy 1:8, which encourages believers not to be ashamed of their testimony. The connection is more than just thematic, it's about standing firm in one's faith despite opposition.
"But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."
The EGW passage describes a situation where the family is being pressured to deny their faith. This thematically parallels Matthew 10:33, which warns against denying Christ before men. However, the connection is not a direct quote or explicit allusion, but rather a shared theme.
"The only answer to this was an evasive declaration that we had walked contrary to the rules of the church, and the best course would be to voluntarily withdraw from it to save a trial. We answered that we preferred a regular trial, and demanded to know what sin was charged to us, as we were conscious of no wrong in looking for and loving the appearing of the Saviour. 1T 42.3"
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
The EGW passage describes a situation where the author is asked to explain their actions and beliefs. 1 Peter 3:15 directly encourages believers to be ready to give an answer for their hope. The principle of being prepared to explain one's faith is present in both passages.
"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
Both passages deal with being hated or opposed for one's beliefs. The EGW passage describes opposition faced for believing in the Second Coming, while John 15:18 speaks of the world's hatred towards Jesus and his followers. The connection is thematic, but not a direct allusion.
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
Both passages involve a conflict between obedience to God and obedience to human authorities. In the EGW passage, the author is accused of violating church rules for following their beliefs. In Acts 5:29, the apostles declare that they must obey God rather than men. The connection is thematic, focusing on prioritizing divine law over human rules.
"Not long after, we were notified to be present at a meeting to be held in the vestry of the church. There were but few present. The influence of my father and his family was such that our opposers had no desire to present our case before a larger number of the congregation. The single charge preferred was that we had walked contrary to their rules. Upon our asking what rules we had violated, it was stated, after a little hesitation, that we had attended other meetings, and had neglected to meet regularly with our class. We stated that a portion of the family had been in the country for some time past, that none who remained in the city had been absent from class meeting more than a few weeks, and they were morally compelled to remain away because the testimonies they bore met with such marked disapprobation. We also reminded them that certain persons who had not attended class meeting for a year were yet held in good standing. 1T 42.4"
"And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,"
Both passages describe situations where individuals are brought before a council or meeting due to their beliefs or actions. In the EGW passage, the author is summoned to a meeting to answer for violating church rules. In Acts 6:12, Stephen is brought before the council after being accused of blasphemy. The connection lies in the similar scenario of being brought before authorities due to opposition.