"***** At one time those in charge of our school at Avondale inquired of me, saying: “What shall we do? The officers of the law have been commissioned to arrest those working on Sunday.” I replied: “It will be very easy to avoid that difficulty. Give Sunday to the Lord as a day for doing missionary work. Take the students out to hold meetings in different places, and to do medical missionary work. They will find the people at home and will have a splendid opportunity to present the truth. This way of spending Sunday is always acceptable to the Lord.” 9T 238.1"
"How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days."
Both passages address the permissibility of doing good on a day of rest. Matthew 12:12 affirms that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, while EGW's passage suggests that missionary work is an acceptable way to spend Sunday, implying that it is a good and permissible activity.
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
Both passages deal with facing persecution and receiving guidance on how to respond. Matthew 10:16-20 speaks of wisdom and reliance on the Spirit in the face of opposition, while EGW's passage describes a practical application of this principle in a specific situation.
"***** We are to do all we can to remove the prejudice that exists in the minds of many against our work and against the Bible Sabbath. 9T 238.2"
"Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:"
Both passages emphasize avoiding offense and promoting harmony. 1 Corinthians 10:32 is a general command to avoid giving offense, while EGW's passage applies this principle specifically to removing prejudice against their work and the Sabbath.
"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
Both passages encourage peaceful relations with others. Romans 12:18 urges living peaceably with all, while EGW's passage suggests removing prejudice to foster better understanding and acceptance.
"***** Teach the people to conform in all things to the laws of their state when they can do so without conflicting with the law of God. 9T 238.3"
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."
The EGW passage directly addresses the principle of obeying governing authorities, which is the central theme of Romans 13:1. The caveat about not conflicting with God's law is an important qualification.
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
The EGW passage presents a balanced view of obedience to civil law, but ultimately prioritizes obedience to God's law when there is a conflict. This aligns with the principle demonstrated in Acts 5:29.
"***** Sometimes the hearts of persecutors are susceptible of divine impressions as was the heart of the apostle Paul before his conversion. 9T 238.4"
"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."
The EGW passage explicitly refers to the Apostle Paul's conversion experience, which is detailed in Acts 9:1-20. This is a clear and direct allusion.