connections Bible verses EGW passages
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Page 192
"The Gentiles, on the contrary, practiced catching the blood that flowed from the sacrificial victim and using it in the preparation of food. The Jews could not believe that they ought to change the customs they had adopted under the special direction of God. Therefore, as things then stood, if Jew and Gentile should attempt to eat at the same table, the former would be shocked and outraged by the latter. AA 192.1"
Likely biblical basis 90% Acts 15:20
"But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood."
EGW elaborates on the Gentile practice of consuming blood and the Jewish aversion to it, which is the very issue addressed in Acts 15:20 where abstaining from blood is mandated. EGW provides a cultural context for the biblical command.
"The Gentiles, and especially the Greeks, were extremely licentious, and there was danger that some, unconverted in heart, would make a profession of faith without renouncing their evil practices. The Jewish Christians could not tolerate the immorality that was not even regarded as criminal by the heathen. The Jews therefore held it as highly proper that circumcision and the observance of the ceremonial law should be enjoined on the Gentile converts as a test of their sincerity and devotion. This, they believed, would prevent the addition to the church of those who, adopting the faith without true conversion of heart, might afterward bring reproach upon the cause by immorality and excess. AA 192.2"
Related principle 90% 1 Corinthians 5:11
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
Both passages address the issue of immorality within the Christian community. EGW explains the concerns of Jewish Christians regarding the licentious practices of some Gentiles and the need for moral purity, which aligns with Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 5:11 to avoid associating with immoral individuals who claim to be believers.
"The various points involved in the settlement of the main question at issue seemed to present before the council insurmountable difficulties. But the Holy Spirit had, in reality, already settled this question, upon the decision of which seemed to depend the prosperity, if not the very existence, of the Christian church. AA 192.3"
Related principle 75% Acts 15:7
"And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe."
Both passages discuss the Jerusalem council and the difficulties faced in resolving the issue of Gentile inclusion. The EGW passage speaks of the Holy Spirit settling the question, while Acts 15:7 describes the disputing that occurred before Peter spoke. The connection is thematic, but not a strong allusion.
"“When there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.” He reasoned that the Holy Spirit had decided the matter under dispute by descending with equal power upon the uncircumcised Gentiles and the circumcised Jews. He recounted his vision, in which God had presented before him a sheet filled with all manner of four-footed beasts and had bidden him kill and eat. When he refused, affirming that he had never eaten that which was common or unclean, the answer had been, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” Acts 10:15 . AA 192.4"
Direct citation 97% Acts 10:15
"And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common."
Ellen White directly references Acts 10:15 in this passage.
Direct citation 95% Acts 15:7
"And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe."
EGW directly quotes Acts 15:7 and uses it as a basis for her commentary. This is a clear and explicit allusion.
Direct citation 90% Acts 10:9-16
"On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven."
EGW directly references and explains Peter's vision from Acts 10:9-16, including a direct quote from verse 15. This is a clear and explicit allusion.

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