“What! we ratify this edict! We assert that when Almighty God calls a man to His knowledge, this man nevertheless cannot receive the knowledge of God!” “There is no sure doctrine but such as is conformable to the word of God.... The Lord forbids the teaching of any other doctrine.... The Holy Scriptures ought to be explained by other and clearer texts; ... this Holy Book is, in all things necessary for the Christian, easy of understanding, and calculated to scatter the darkness. We are resolved, with the grace of God, to maintain the pure and exclusive preaching of His only word, such as it is contained in the biblical books of the Old and New Testaments, without adding anything thereto that may be contrary to it. This word is the only truth; it is the sure rule of all doctrine and of all life, and can never fail or deceive us. He who builds on this foundation shall stand against all the powers of hell, while all the human vanities that are set up against it shall fall before the face …
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
The EGW passage, quoting reformers, strongly echoes the sentiment of Galatians 1:8, condemning any deviation from the original gospel. Both emphasize adherence to the true word of God and reject alternative doctrines.
"“For this reason we reject the yoke that is imposed on us.” “At the same time we are in expectation that his imperial majesty will behave toward us like a Christian prince who loves God above all things; and we declare ourselves ready to pay unto him, as well as unto you, gracious lords, all the affection and obedience that are our just and legitimate duty.”— Ibid., b. 13, ch. 6. GC 203.2"
"They say unto him, Cesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s."
The EGW passage discusses the reformers' stance on obedience to earthly rulers while maintaining their faith. This aligns with the principle in Matthew 22:21 of rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's, acknowledging both secular and divine authority.
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
Both passages address the conflict between obeying God and obeying earthly rulers. The EGW passage, like Acts 5:29, suggests a prioritization of obedience to God when human laws contradict divine principles.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
The EGW passage mentions courage and firmness, which thematically aligns with Ephesians 6:10's call to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Both emphasize strength derived from a higher power.
“The principles contained in this celebrated Protest ... constitute the very essence of Protestantism. Now this Protest opposes two abuses of man in matters of faith: the first is the intrusion of the civil magistrate, and the second the arbitrary authority of the church. Instead of these abuses, Protestantism sets the power of conscience above the magistrate, and the authority of the word of God above the visible church. In the first place, it rejects the civil power in divine things, and says with the prophets and apostles, ‘We must obey God rather than man.’ In presence of the crown of Charles the Fifth, it uplifts the crown of Jesus Christ. But it goes farther: it lays down the principle that all human teaching should be subordinate to the oracles of God.”— Ibid., b. 13, ch. 6. The protesters had moreover affirmed their right to utter freely their convictions of truth. They would not only believe and obey, but teach what the word of God presents, and they denied the right of priest…
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
The EGW passage directly quotes the principle found in Acts 5:29, 'We must obey God rather than man,' and applies it to the context of the Protestant Reformation. This is a clear and intentional reference.