"The Romanists, flushed with anticipated triumph, had come to Baden attired in their richest robes and glittering with jewels. They fared luxuriously, their tables spread with the most costly delicacies and the choicest wines. The burden of their ecclesiastical duties was lightened by gaiety and reveling. In marked contrast appeared the Reformers, who were looked upon by the people as little better than a company of beggars, and whose frugal fare kept them but short time at table. Oecolampadius's landlord, taking occasion to watch him in his room, found him always engaged in study or at prayer, and greatly wondering, reported that the heretic was at least “very pious.” GC 183.2"
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:"
The contrast between the lavish lifestyle of the Romanists and the simple life of the Reformers directly parallels the rich man and Lazarus story. The EGW passage highlights the disparity in wealth and lifestyle, echoing the theme of earthly riches versus spiritual poverty.
"At the conference, “Eck haughtily ascended a pulpit splendidly decorated, while the humble Oecolampadius, meanly clothed, was forced to take his seat in front of his opponent on a rudely carved stool.” — Ibid., b. 11, ch. 13. Eck's stentorian voice and unbounded assurance never failed him. His zeal was stimulated by the hope of gold as well as fame; for the defender of the faith was to be rewarded by a handsome fee. When better arguments failed, he had resort to insults, and even to oaths. GC 183.3"
"And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,"
Eck's behavior, particularly his seeking of prominent positions and rewards, aligns with the Pharisees' love of 'uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues.' The EGW passage illustrates the pride and ambition condemned in Matthew 23:6.
"Oecolampadius, modest and self-distrustful, had shrunk from the combat, and he entered upon it with the solemn avowal: “I acknowledge no other standard of judgment than the word of God.”— Ibid., b. 11, ch. 13. Though gentle and courteous in demeanor, he proved himself able and unflinching. While the Romanists, according to their wont, appealed for authority to the customs of the church, the Reformer adhered steadfastly to the Holy Scriptures. “Custom,” he said, “has no force in our Switzerland, unless it be according to the constitution; now, in matters of faith, the Bible is our constitution.”— Ibid., b. 11, ch. 13. GC 183.4"
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
Oecolampadius's reliance on the Word of God as the ultimate standard and his willingness to defend his faith with meekness directly reflects the principle in 1 Peter 3:15. The EGW passage emphasizes his commitment to Scripture and his gentle yet firm demeanor, aligning perfectly with the verse's instruction.
"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 adhering to scripture as the ultimate authority. The EGW passage illustrates this principle through Oecolampadius's stance, while Acts 17:11 describes the Bereans' diligent study of scripture to verify teachings.