From the beginning, God has been working by His Holy Spirit through human instrumentalities for the accomplishment of His purpose in behalf of the fallen race. This was manifest in the lives of the patriarchs. To the church in the wilderness also, in the time of Moses, God gave His “good Spirit to instruct them.” Nehemiah 9:20 . And in the days of the apostles He wrought mightily for His church through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostolic church effective, has upheld God's faithful children in every succeeding age. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that during the Dark Ages the Waldensian Christians helped to prepare the way for the Reformation. It was the same power that made successful the efforts of the noble men and women who pioneered the way for the establishment of modern missions and for the translation of the Bible into the languages and diale…
"Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst."
EGW directly quotes Nehemiah 9:20, making this an explicit allusion.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Both passages discuss the Holy Spirit empowering believers. Acts 2:4 describes the apostles being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, while EGW speaks of the Holy Spirit working mightily for the church. The connection is the Spirit's active role in empowering believers for ministry.
"And today God is still using His church to make known His purpose in the earth. Today the heralds of the cross are going from city to city, and from land to land, preparing the way for the second advent of Christ. The standard of God's law is being exalted. The Spirit of the Almighty is moving upon men's hearts, and those who respond to its influence become witnesses for God and His truth. In many places consecrated men and women may be seen communicating to others the light that has made plain to them the way of salvation through Christ. And as they continue to let their light shine, as did those who were baptized with the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they receive more and still more of the Spirit's power. Thus the earth is to be lightened with the glory of God. AA 53.2"
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
The EGW passage directly reflects the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, emphasizing the church's role in spreading the gospel and preparing for Christ's return. It's a clear application of the biblical mandate.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Matthew 5:16, urging believers to let their light shine and be witnesses for God. The connection is thematic, focusing on the idea of believers reflecting God's light to the world.