"The Comforter is called “the Spirit of truth.” His work is to define and maintain the truth. He first dwells in the heart as the Spirit of truth, and thus He becomes the Comforter. There is comfort and peace in the truth, but no real peace or comfort can be found in falsehood. It is through false theories and traditions that Satan gains his power over the mind. By directing men to false standards, he misshapes the character. Through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit speaks to the mind, and impresses truth upon the heart. Thus He exposes error, and expels it from the soul. It is by the Spirit of truth, working through the word of God, that Christ subdues His chosen people to Himself. DA 671.1"
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
EGW directly quotes and elaborates on John 16:13, providing context and interpretation.
"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
Both passages contrast the Spirit of Truth with the spirit of error. EGW expands on the implications of this contrast, particularly regarding truth, falsehood, and Satan's influence.
In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that inspired His own heart. He rejoiced because of the abundant help He had provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as…
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
While not a direct quote, the EGW passage discusses the role and importance of the Holy Spirit, which is the central theme of John 16:13. The EGW passage elaborates on the functions of the Holy Spirit, aligning with the verse's description of the Spirit guiding into all truth.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
The EGW passage discusses the Holy Spirit as the Comforter and teacher, which directly echoes the role of the Holy Spirit as described in John 14:26. Both passages emphasize the Spirit's role in teaching and bringing remembrance.
"Of the Spirit Jesus said, “He shall glorify Me.” The Saviour came to glorify the Father by the demonstration of His love; so the Spirit was to glorify Christ by revealing His grace to the world. The very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people. DA 671.3"
"He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon John 16:14, explaining how the Spirit glorifies Christ by revealing His grace.
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
The EGW passage speaks of reproducing the image of God in humanity, which aligns with the theme of being conformed to the image of Christ as mentioned in Romans 8:29. Both passages relate to the idea of believers becoming more like Christ through the work of the Spirit.
"no souls will fall on the Rock and be broken. No amount of education, no advantages, however great, can make one a channel of light without the co-operation of the Spirit of God. The sowing of the gospel seed will not be a success unless the seed is quickened into life by the dew of heaven. Before one book of the New Testament was written, before one gospel sermon had been preached after Christ's ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon the praying apostles. Then the testimony of their enemies was, “Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine.” Acts 5:28 . DA 671.4"
"Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us."
Ellen White directly references Acts 5:28 in this passage.
"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."
Both passages emphasize that human effort is insufficient without God's intervention for spiritual growth and success. The EGW quote speaks of the necessity of the Holy Spirit for the gospel to be effective, while 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 highlights that God gives the increase despite planting and watering.