"In reply, his hearers stated that they had received no charges against him by letters public or private, and that none of the Jews who had come to Rome had accused him of any crime. They also expressed a strong desire to hear for themselves the reasons of his faith in Christ. “As concerning this sect,” they said, “we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” AA 451.1"
"And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee."
The EGW passage directly quotes the phrase 'We neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.' from Acts 28:21, indicating a clear and intentional reference.
"Since they themselves desired it, Paul bade them set a day when he could present to them the truths of the gospel. At the time appointed, many came together, “to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” He related his own experience, and presented arguments from the Old Testament Scriptures with simplicity, sincerity, and power. AA 451.2"
"And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening."
The EGW passage is a direct paraphrase and summary of Acts 28:23. The wording is almost identical in places.
"The apostle showed that religion does not consist in rites and ceremonies, creeds and theories. If it did, the natural man could understand it by investigation, as he understands worldly things. Paul taught that religion is a practical, saving energy, a principle wholly from God, a personal experience of God's renewing power upon the soul. AA 451.3"
"But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
Both passages emphasize the importance of inward transformation over outward religious practices. Romans 2:29 speaks of circumcision of the heart, while EGW speaks of religion not consisting of rites and ceremonies.
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature."
Both passages highlight that true religion is not about outward observances but about a new creation or a personal experience of God's renewing power. Galatians 6:15 speaks of a 'new creature,' while EGW emphasizes 'a personal experience of God's renewing power.'
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Both passages emphasize the necessity of a spiritual rebirth or renewal. John 3:3 speaks of being 'born again,' while EGW speaks of 'a personal experience of God's renewing power upon the soul.' The principle of spiritual transformation is central to both.
"He showed how Moses had pointed Israel forward to Christ as that Prophet whom they were to hear; how all the prophets had testified of Him as God's great remedy for sin, the guiltless One who was to bear the sins of the guilty. He did not find fault with their observance of forms and ceremonies, but showed that while they maintained the ritual service with great exactness, they were rejecting Him who was the antitype of all that system. AA 451.4"
"The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;"
The EGW passage directly references Moses pointing to a future prophet and connects it to Christ, which is the core message of Deuteronomy 18:15. The connection is clear and intentional.
"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect."
Both passages discuss the relationship between the Old Testament law and Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:1 states the law was a shadow of things to come, while the EGW passage explains how Moses and the prophets pointed to Christ, the antitype of the Old Testament system. The EGW passage amplifies the principle found in Hebrews.