"There are many at the present day thus clinging to the customs and traditions of their fathers. When the Lord sends them additional light, they refuse to accept it, because, not having been granted to their fathers, it was not received by them. We are not placed where our fathers were; consequently our duties and responsibilities are not the same as theirs. We shall not be approved of God in looking to the example of our fathers to determine our duty instead of searching the word of truth for ourselves. Our responsibility is greater than was that of our ancestors. We are accountable for the light which they received, and which was handed down as an inheritance for us, and we are accountable also for the additional light which is now shining upon us from the word of God. GC 164.1"
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
Both passages emphasize the importance of studying scripture for oneself and not blindly following tradition or the example of others. The Acts passage provides a positive example of this principle, while the EGW passage warns against neglecting it.
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
Both passages address the issue of prioritizing tradition over God's word. The EGW passage speaks against clinging to the traditions of the fathers and rejecting new light, while Matthew 15:3 condemns transgressing God's commandments through tradition. The connection lies in the shared theme of challenging tradition in favor of divine truth.
"Said Christ of the unbelieving Jews: “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.” John 15:22 . The same divine power had spoken through Luther to the emperor and princes of Germany. And as the light shone forth from God's word, His Spirit pleaded for the last time with many in that assembly. As Pilate, centuries before, permitted pride and popularity to close his heart against the world's Redeemer; as the trembling Felix bade the messenger of truth, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee;” as the proud Agrippa confessed, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” ( Acts 24:25 ; 26:28 ), yet turned away from the Heaven-sent message—so had Charles V, yielding to the dictates of worldly pride and policy, decided to reject the light of truth. GC 164.2"
"If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin."
Ellen White directly references John 15:22 in this passage.
"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."
Ellen White directly references Acts 24:25 in this passage.
"thee, O land, when thy king is a child.” Ecclesiastes 10:16 . The popular enthusiasm in Luther's favor throughout all Germany convinced both the emperor and the Diet that any injustice shown him would endanger the peace of the empire and even the stability of the throne. GC 164.3"
"Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!"
Ellen White directly references Ecclesiastes 10:16 in this passage.