"The priests were alarmed at the thought that the common people would now be able to discuss with them the precepts of God's word, and that their own ignorance would thus be exposed. The weapons of their carnal reasoning were powerless against the sword of the Spirit. Rome summoned all her authority to prevent the circulation of the Scriptures; but decrees, anathemas, and tortures were alike in vain. The more she condemned and prohibited the Bible, the greater was the anxiety of the people to know what it really taught. All who could read were eager to study the word of God for themselves. They carried it about with them, and read and reread, and could not be satisfied until they had committed large portions to memory. Seeing the favor with which the New Testament was received, Luther immediately began the translation of the Old, and published it in parts as fast as completed. GC 194.1"
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
The phrase "sword of the Spirit" is a direct reference to Ephesians 6:17, and the context clearly indicates that the word of God is being used as a weapon against falsehood.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
While not a direct quote, the concept of the word of God being powerful and effective, as described in Hebrews 4:12, aligns with the idea that the priests' carnal reasoning was powerless against it.
"These writings were studied with deep interest by rich and poor, the learned and the ignorant. At night the teachers of the village schools read them aloud to little groups gathered at the fireside. With every effort some souls would be convicted of the truth and, receiving the word with gladness, would in their turn tell the good news to others. GC 194.3"
"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."
Both passages describe the spread of a message (the gospel or related writings) by ordinary people to others. Acts 8:4 describes believers scattering and preaching, while the EGW passage describes teachers reading aloud and people sharing the good news. The connection lies in the widespread dissemination of a message.
"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"
Both passages describe communities eagerly receiving and sharing religious teachings. The EGW quote describes the spread of Reformation ideas, while Acts 2:46 depicts the early church's communal learning and fellowship. The shared element is the enthusiastic reception and dissemination of religious truth.