"“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” AA 122.1"
"And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
This is a direct quote from Acts 9:18.
"Thus Jesus gave sanction to the authority of His organized church and placed Saul in connection with His appointed agencies on earth. Christ had now a church as His representative on earth, and to it belonged the work of directing the repentant sinner in the way of life. AA 122.2"
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
EGW's statement about Jesus giving sanction to the authority of His organized church and placing Saul in connection with His appointed agencies on earth is thematically related to Matthew 16:18, where Jesus speaks of building His church. While not a direct quote or explicit allusion, the passage reflects the idea of Christ establishing and working through the church.
Many have an idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their light and experience, independent of His recognized followers on earth. Jesus is the friend of sinners, and His heart is touched with their woe. He has all power, both in heaven and on earth; but He respects the means that He has ordained for the enlightenment and salvation of men; He directs sinners to the church, which He has made a channel of light to the world. AA 122.3 When, in the midst of his blind error and prejudice, Saul was given a revelation of the Christ whom he was persecuting, he was placed in direct communication with the church, which is the light of the world. In this case Ananias represents Christ, and also represents Christ's ministers upon the earth, who are appointed to act in His stead. In Christ's stead Ananias touches the eyes of Saul, that they may receive sight. In Christ's stead he places his hands upon him, and, as he prays in Christ's name, Saul receives the Holy Ghost. All is done in th…
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
The EGW passage discusses the importance of the church as a channel of light and the body of Christ, which aligns with the concept presented in 1 Corinthians 12:27, where believers are described as members of the body of Christ. The connection is thematic, emphasizing the interconnectedness and interdependence of believers within the church.