"power to grant the pardon of sin, and to remit its penalty, had never been committed to the pope or to any other man. The whole scheme was a farce,—an artifice to extort money by playing upon the superstitions of the people,—a device of Satan to destroy the souls of all who should trust to its lying pretensions. It was also clearly shown that the gospel of Christ is the most valuable treasure of the church, and that the grace of God, therein revealed, is freely bestowed upon all who seek it by repentance and faith. GC 130.1"
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle in Acts 4:12 that salvation is not found through human institutions (like the papacy granting indulgences) but through Christ alone.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The EGW passage emphasizes that God's grace is freely bestowed through repentance and faith, which aligns perfectly with the core message of Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.
"Luther's theses challenged discussion; but no one dared accept the challenge. The questions which he proposed had in a few days spread through all Germany, and in a few weeks they had sounded throughout Christendom. Many devoted Romanists, who had seen and lamented the terrible iniquity prevailing in the church, but had not known how to arrest its progress, read the propositions with great joy, recognizing in them the voice of God. They felt that the Lord had graciously set His hand to arrest the rapidly swelling tide of corruption that was issuing from the see of Rome. Princes and magistrates secretly rejoiced that a check was to be put upon the arrogant power which denied the right of appeal from its decisions. GC 130.2"
"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."
The EGW passage describes how Luther's actions were seen by some as a divine intervention to stop corruption, and how even those in power secretly supported him. This is similar to the sentiment in Acts 5:38-39, where Gamaliel advises caution, suggesting that if the movement is from God, it cannot be overthrown. Both passages deal with the idea of discerning whether a movement is divinely inspired.
"But the sin-loving and superstitious multitudes were terrified as the sophistries that had soothed their fears were swept away. Crafty ecclesiastics, interrupted in their work of sanctioning crime, and seeing their gains endangered, were enraged, and rallied to uphold their pretensions. The Reformer had bitter accusers to meet. Some charged him with acting hastily and from impulse. Others accused him of presumption, declaring that he was not directed of God, but was acting from pride and forwardness. “Who does not know,” he responded, “that a man rarely puts forth any new idea without having some appearance of pride, and without being accused of exciting quarrels? ... Why were Christ and all the martyrs put to death? Because they seemed to be proud contemners of the wisdom of the time, and because they advanced novelties without having first humbly taken counsel of the oracles of the ancient opinions.” GC 130.3"
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
Both passages highlight the resistance and animosity faced by those who bring new light or truth. The EGW passage describes the 'sin-loving' multitudes being terrified and the ecclesiastics being enraged, while John 3:19 speaks of men loving darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.
"And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;"
Both passages describe accusations against those bringing new ideas or reforms, including charges of pride and causing trouble. The Acts passage shows the apostles being accused of turning the world upside down.
"So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth."
Both passages illustrate how those in positions of power and influence, particularly religious leaders, react negatively when their authority and financial gains are threatened by new ideas or reforms. The EGW passage describes 'crafty ecclesiastics' seeing their gains endangered, while Acts 19:27 shows the silversmiths fearing for their trade due to Paul's preaching.
"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."
Both passages address the opposition faced by those who bring new truth or challenge established religious systems. The EGW passage describes the 'sin-loving and superstitious multitudes' being terrified and the ecclesiastics being enraged, while Matthew 23:13 condemns the scribes and Pharisees for hindering people from entering the kingdom of heaven.