"inmates of the prison, and the minds of all were opened to listen to the truths spoken by the apostles. They were convinced that the God whom these men served had miraculously released them from bondage. AA 217.1"
"And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed."
Both passages describe a miraculous prison escape that leads to belief in God. The EGW passage refers to the prisoners being convinced of God's power, while the verse describes the earthquake that freed them. The connection is a clear thematic parallel.
"The citizens of Philippi had been greatly terrified by the earthquake, and when in the morning the officers of the prison told the magistrates of what had occurred during the night, they were alarmed and sent the sergeants to liberate the apostles. But Paul declared, “They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.” AA 217.2"
"But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out."
The EGW passage directly quotes Acts 16:37, making it an explicit allusion.
"The apostles were Roman citizens, and it was unlawful to scourge a Roman, save for the most flagrant crime, or to deprive him of his liberty without a fair trial. Paul and Silas had been publicly imprisoned, and they now refused to be privately released without the proper explanation on the part of the magistrates. AA 217.3"
"But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out."
The EGW passage explains the context and implications of Paul's statement in Acts 16:37, highlighting the principle of Roman citizenship and the right to a fair trial. It's a direct application of the principle demonstrated in the verse.
"When this word was brought to the authorities, they were alarmed for fear that the apostles would complain to the emperor, and going at once to the prison, they apologized to Paul and Silas for the injustice and cruelty done them and personally conducted them out of the prison, entreating them to depart from the city. The magistrates feared the apostles’ influence over the people, and they also feared the Power that had interposed in behalf of these innocent men. AA 217.4"
"And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city."
The EGW passage directly recounts and expands upon the events described in Acts 16:39, including the magistrates' apology and request for Paul and Silas to leave the city.