"God raised up men to cry against the existing sins of the papal church and carry forward the Reformation. Satan sought to destroy these living witnesses; but the Lord made a hedge about them. Some, for the glory of His name, were permitted to seal with their blood the testimony they had borne; but there were other powerful men, like Luther and Melanchthon, who could best glorify God by living and exposing the sins of priests, popes, and kings. These trembled before the voice of Luther, and his fellow laborers. Through those chosen men, rays of light began to scatter the darkness, and very many joyfully received the light and walked in it. And when one witness was slain, two or more were raised up to take his place. EW 225.1"
"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:"
The EGW passage describes God raising up reformers like Luther, and even when some were killed, others rose to take their place. This echoes the idea in Acts 9:15 of God choosing vessels to bear His name, even before kings. The thematic parallel is the idea of God raising up individuals for a specific purpose, even in the face of opposition.
"But Satan was not satisfied. He could only have power over the body. He could not make believers yield their faith and hope. And even in death they triumphed with a bright hope of immortality at the resurrection of the just. They had more than mortal energy. They dared not sleep for a moment, but kept the Christian armor girded about them, prepared for a conflict, not merely with spiritual foes, but with Satan in the form of men whose constant cry was, “Give up your faith, or die.” These few Christians were strong in God, and more precious in His sight than half a world who bear the name of Christ, and yet are cowards in His cause. While the church was persecuted, its members were united and loving; they were strong in God. Sinners were not permitted to unite with the church. Those only who are willing to forsake all for Christ could be His disciples. These loved to be poor, humble, and Christlike. EW 225.2"
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
The EGW passage speaks of believers who are willing to die for their faith and cannot be made to yield their faith and hope. This directly parallels the sentiment in Matthew 10:28, which encourages believers not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. The thematic parallel is the emphasis on spiritual resilience in the face of physical threats.