"The Same Power to be Revealed Today By the grace of Christ the apostles were made what they were. It was sincere devotion and humble, earnest prayer that brought them into close communion with Him. They sat together with Him in heavenly places. They realized the greatness of their debt to Him. By earnest, persevering prayer they obtained the endowment of the Holy Spirit, and then they went forth, weighted with the burden of saving souls, filled with zeal to extend the triumphs of the cross. And under their labors many souls were brought from darkness to light, and many churches were raised up. 7T 32"
"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
Both passages discuss the apostles being filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to spread the gospel. The EGW passage elaborates on the process of prayer and devotion leading to this empowerment, aligning with the event described in Acts 4:31.
"Shall we be less earnest than were the apostles? Shall we not by living faith claim the promises that moved them to the depths of their being to call upon the Lord Jesus for the fulfillment of His word: “Ask, and ye shall receive”? John 16:24 . Is not the Spirit of God to come today in answer to earnest, persevering prayer, and fill men with power? Is not God saying today to His praying, trusting, believing workers, who are opening the Scriptures to those ignorant of the precious truth they contain: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”? Matthew 28:20 . Why, then, is the church so weak and spiritless? 7T 32.2"
"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
The EGW passage directly quotes John 16:24, making it an explicit allusion.
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
The EGW passage directly quotes Matthew 28:20, making it an explicit allusion.
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Both passages emphasize the importance of prayer. While the EGW passage focuses on earnest, persevering prayer for the Spirit's power, James 5:16 highlights the effectiveness of fervent prayer. The connection is thematic but not a direct quote or explicit allusion.
"As the disciples, filled with the power of the Spirit, went forth to proclaim the gospel, so God's servants are to go forth today. Filled with an unselfish desire to give the message of mercy to those who are in the darkness of error and unbelief, we are to take up the Lord's work. He gives us our part to do in co-operation with Him, and He will also move on the hearts of unbelievers to carry forward His work in the regions beyond. Already many are receiving the Holy Spirit, and no longer will the way be blocked by listless indifference. 7T 32.3"
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment and instruction of Acts 1:8 regarding receiving power through the Holy Spirit to be witnesses. It's more than a thematic parallel; it's a direct application of the principle.
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
The EGW passage is based on the Great Commission in Mark 16:15, urging believers to go and preach the gospel. It's a direct application of the principle.