"The news of Paul's conversion had come to the Jews as a great surprise. He who had journeyed to Damascus “with authority and commission from the chief priests” ( Acts 26:12 ) to apprehend and persecute the believers was now preaching the gospel of a crucified and risen Saviour, strengthening the hands of those who were already its disciples, and continually bringing in new converts to the faith he had once so bitterly opposed. AA 123.2 Paul had formerly been known as a zealous defender of the Jewish religion and an untiring persecutor of the followers of Jesus. Courageous, independent, persevering, his talents and training would have enabled him to serve in almost any capacity. He could reason with extraordinary clearness, and by his withering sarcasm could place an opponent in no enviable light. And now the Jews saw this young man of unusual promise united with those whom he formerly persecuted, and fearlessly preaching in the name of Jesus. AA 124.1"
"Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,"
Ellen White directly references Acts 26:12 in this passage.
"But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?"
Both passages discuss the amazement of people at Paul's conversion and his previous persecution of Christians. The EGW passage elaborates on the impact of this conversion, which is directly related to the sentiment expressed in Acts 9:21.
"A general slain in battle is lost to his army, but his death gives no additional strength to the enemy. But when a man of prominence joins the opposing force, not only are his services lost, but those to whom he joins himself gain a decided advantage. Saul of Tarsus, on his way to Damascus, might easily have been struck dead by the Lord, and much strength would have been withdrawn from the persecuting power. But God in His providence not only spared Saul's life, but converted him, thus transferring a champion from the side of the enemy to the side of Christ. An eloquent speaker and a severe critic, Paul, with his stern purpose and undaunted courage, possessed the very qualifications needed in the early church. AA 124.2"
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
The EGW passage discusses Saul's conversion as a strategic gain for the Christian side, contrasting it with the loss of a general in battle. This thematically parallels Philippians 3:7, where Paul reflects on counting his former gains as loss for Christ. Both passages highlight the idea of something valuable being transferred or re-evaluated in light of Christ.