"a work requiring patience, self-denial, bravery, devotion, faith, and a willingness to sacrifice, if need be, even life itself. So sharp was the contention that Paul and Barnabas separated, the latter following out his convictions and taking Mark with him. “So Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.” AA 202.1"
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
The EGW passage speaks of sacrifice and self-denial in the context of missionary work, which echoes the principle of self-denial in following Christ as described in Matthew 16:24. The confidence is adjusted upwards because the connection is clear and relevant. The relation type is changed to thematic parallel because it's not a direct principle, but a shared theme.
"Journeying through Syria and Cilicia, where they strengthened the church, Paul and Silas at length reached Derbe and Lystra in the province of Lycaonia. It was at Lystra that Paul had been stoned, yet we find him again on the scene of his former danger. He was anxious to see how those who through his labors had accepted the gospel were enduring the test of trial. He was not disappointed, for he found that the Lystrian believers had remained firm in the face of violent opposition. AA 202.2"
"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
The EGW passage describes Paul revisiting Lystra to strengthen believers who faced opposition, which aligns with the theme of confirming disciples and exhorting them to continue in faith despite tribulation as mentioned in Acts 14:22. The confidence is adjusted upwards because the connection is clear and relevant.
"Here Paul again met Timothy, who had witnessed his sufferings at the close of his first visit to Lystra and upon whose mind the impression then made had deepened with the passing of time until he was convinced that it was his duty to give himself fully to the work of the ministry. His heart was knit with the heart of Paul, and he longed to share the apostle's labors by assisting as the way might open. AA 202.3"
"Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek."
The EGW passage directly recounts the events described in Acts 16:1-3, elaborating on the motivations and feelings of Timothy and Paul. It's a clear retelling and expansion of the biblical narrative.