"So mightily can God work when men give themselves up to the control of His Spirit. AA 49.1"
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"
Both passages highlight God's immense power and its manifestation through those who yield to His Spirit. Ephesians 3:20 speaks of God's ability to do exceedingly above what we ask, while the EGW quote emphasizes God's powerful work when individuals surrender to the Spirit's control. The connection is more thematic than a direct principle.
"The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. From the Day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service. To all who have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, the Holy Spirit has come as a counselor, sanctifier, guide, and witness. The more closely believers have walked with God, the more clearly and powerfully have they testified of their Redeemer's love and of His saving grace. The men and women who through the long centuries of persecution and trial enjoyed a large measure of the presence of the Spirit in their lives, have stood as signs and wonders in the world. Before angels and men they have revealed the transforming power of redeeming love. AA 49.2"
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
The EGW passage directly expands on the promise of the Holy Spirit as described in John 14:16-17. Both emphasize the Spirit's continuous presence and role as Comforter. The EGW passage elaborates on the effects of the Spirit's presence in believers' lives.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
The EGW passage echoes the principle in Acts 2:38-39 that the promise of the Holy Spirit is available to all who repent and are baptized. The EGW quote emphasizes the universality of the promise and its continued relevance.
"Those who at Pentecost were endued with power from on high, were not thereby freed from further temptation and trial. As they witnessed for truth and righteousness they were repeatedly assailed by the enemy of all truth, who sought to rob them of their Christian experience. They were compelled to strive with all their God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Daily they prayed for fresh supplies of grace, that they might reach higher and still higher toward perfection. Under the Holy Spirit's working even the weakest, by exercising faith in God, learned to improve their entrusted powers and to become sanctified, refined, and ennobled. As in humility they submitted to the molding influence of the Holy Spirit, they received of the fullness of the Godhead and were fashioned in the likeness of the divine. AA 49.3"
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"
Both passages discuss striving toward perfection and reaching the 'stature of the fullness of Christ.' EGW's passage expands on the process of sanctification and the role of the Holy Spirit in achieving this.
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Both passages discuss striving toward a goal or 'mark' in Christ Jesus. EGW's passage speaks of pressing 'higher and still higher toward perfection,' which aligns with Paul's pressing toward the mark.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
The EGW passage emphasizes the need for continuous grace and striving for perfection, even after receiving power from on high. This echoes the sentiment in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God's grace is declared sufficient, and strength is made perfect in weakness. The connection lies in the reliance on divine power for overcoming weaknesses and achieving spiritual growth.