"“Souls around us must be aroused and saved, or they perish. Not a moment have we to lose. We all have an influence that tells for the truth or against it. I desire to carry with me unmistakable evidences that I am one of Christ's disciples. We want something besides Sabbath religion. We need the living principle, and to daily feel individual responsibility. This is shunned by many, and the fruit is carelessness, indifference, a lack of watchfulness and spirituality. Where is the spirituality of the church? Where are men and women full of faith and the Holy Spirit? My prayer is: Purify Thy church, O God. For months I have enjoyed freedom, and I am determined to order my conversation and all my ways aright before the Lord. 1T 99.1"
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
Both passages connect discipleship with outward signs. EGW's desire for 'unmistakable evidences' of being a disciple echoes the idea that love is the defining characteristic of Christ's followers.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Both passages emphasize the importance of demonstrating one's faith through actions and being a positive influence on others. EGW's desire to carry 'unmistakable evidences' aligns with letting one's light shine.
"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,"
EGW's prayer to 'Purify Thy church, O God' directly relates to the concept of sanctification and cleansing found in Ephesians 5:26. Both passages address the need for purification and holiness within the church.
"For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."
Both passages mention being 'full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.' EGW's question, 'Where are men and women full of faith and the Holy Spirit?' directly relates to the description of Barnabas in Acts 11:24.
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Both passages emphasize the urgency of the times and the need for watchfulness and prayer. EGW's statement about not having a moment to lose aligns with the sense of urgency in 1 Peter 4:7, which speaks of the end being at hand and calls for sobriety and watchfulness in prayer.
"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
Both passages emphasize the urgency of salvation and the need for people to turn from their wicked ways. EGW's statement about souls perishing echoes God's concern in Ezekiel 33:11 that the wicked turn from their ways and live.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Both passages speak to the idea of transformation and newness of life in Christ. EGW's desire to carry unmistakable evidences of being a disciple of Christ aligns with the concept of being a new creature in Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
"“God is sifting His people. He will have a clean and holy church. We cannot read the heart of man. But the Lord has provided means to keep the church pure. A corrupt people has arisen who could not live with the people of God. They despised reproof, and would not be corrected. They had an opportunity to know that theirs was an unrighteous warfare. They had time to repent of their wrongs; but self was too dear to die. They nourished it, and it grew strong, and they separated from the trusting people of God, whom He is purifying unto Himself. We all have reason to thank God that a way has been opened to save the church; for the wrath of God must have come upon us if these corrupt pretenders had remained with us. 1T 99.3"
"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
EGW's statement that God will have a clean and holy church directly reflects the principle in 1 Peter 1:15-16, which calls believers to be holy because God is holy. The emphasis on holiness as a requirement for God's people is a clear connection.
"Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Both passages discuss the separation of the righteous from the unrighteous. Matthew 3:12 uses the imagery of winnowing to separate wheat from chaff, while EGW speaks of God sifting His people to purify the church. The core idea of separation and purification is present in both.