"The rabbis gloried in their superiority, not only to the people of other nations, but to the masses of their own. With their fierce hatred of their Roman oppressors, they cherished the determination to recover by force of arms their national supremacy. The followers of Jesus, whose message of peace was so contrary to their schemes of ambition, they hated and put to death. In this persecution, Saul was one of the most bitter and relentless actors. Ed 65.1"
"If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation."
Both passages discuss the animosity of Jewish leaders towards perceived threats to their national identity and power. The EGW passage describes their hatred of Jesus' followers, while John 11:48 expresses fear of Roman reprisal if Jesus gains too much influence. The connection lies in the shared theme of nationalistic anxieties and the rejection of those seen as undermining their position.
"In the military schools of Egypt, Moses was taught the law of force, and so strong a hold did this teaching have upon his character that it required forty years of quiet and communion with God and nature to fit him for the leadership of Israel by the law of love. The same lesson Paul had to learn. Ed 65.2"
"And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds."
The EGW passage directly refers to Moses' education in Egypt and its impact on his character, contrasting it with his later training in the desert. Acts 7:22 confirms that Moses was indeed learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. The EGW passage builds upon this biblical statement, elaborating on its implications for Moses' development.
"Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well."
The EGW passage describes Moses needing 40 years of quiet to unlearn the law of force. Exodus 2:15 describes Moses fleeing to Midian, which initiated that 40-year period. While not a direct quote, it provides the context for the EGW statement.
"At the gate of Damascus the vision of the Crucified One changed the whole current of his life. The persecutor became a disciple, the teacher a learner. The days of darkness spent in solitude at Damascus were as years in his experience. The Old Testament Scriptures stored in his memory were his study, and Christ his teacher. To him also nature's solitudes became a school. To the desert of Arabia he went, there to study the Scriptures and to learn of God. He emptied his soul of prejudices and traditions that had shaped his life, and received instruction from the Source of truth. Ed 65.3"
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."
The EGW passage directly alludes to Paul's conversion experience on the road to Damascus, referencing the vision of the Crucified One and the subsequent transformation in his life. This aligns directly with the account in Acts 9:3-6, making it a clear and explicit allusion.
"Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus."
The EGW passage directly references Paul's journey to Arabia after his conversion, as described in Galatians 1:17. It expands on the purpose of this journey, stating it was for studying the Scriptures and learning of God.
"His afterlife was inspired by the one principle of self-sacrifice, the ministry of love. “I am debtor,” he said, “both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” “The love of Christ constraineth us.” Romans 1:14 ; 2 Corinthians 5:14 . Ed 65.4"
"I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise."
Ellen White directly references Romans 1:14 in this passage.
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:"
Ellen White directly references 2 Corinthians 5:14 in this passage.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
The EGW passage describes Paul's ministry of love and self-sacrifice, citing Romans 1:14 and 2 Corinthians 5:14. Galatians 2:20 speaks of Christ living in Paul and Paul's life being a result of Christ's love and sacrifice. While not a direct quote, it aligns with the theme of self-sacrifice and love that motivated Paul's ministry.