While still engaged in these fruitless struggles, Calvin, chancing one day to visit one of the public squares, witnessed there the burning of a heretic. He was filled with wonder at the expression of peace which rested upon the martyr's countenance. Amid the tortures of that dreadful death, and under the more terrible condemnation of the church, he manifested a faith and courage which the young student painfully contrasted with his own despair and darkness, while living in strictest obedience to the church. Upon the Bible, he knew, the heretics rested their faith. He determined to study it, and discover, if he could, the secret of their joy. GC 220.4 In the Bible he found Christ. “O Father,” he cried, “His sacrifice has appeased Thy wrath; His blood has washed away my impurities; His cross has borne my curse; His death has atoned for me. We had devised for ourselves many useless follies, but Thou hast placed Thy word before me like a torch, and Thou hast touched my heart, in order that…
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Both passages deal with finding joy and peace through faith in Christ, even in the face of adversity. Hebrews 12:2 speaks of Jesus enduring the cross for the joy set before Him, while the EGW passage describes Calvin finding peace and joy in the faith of a heretic being burned at the stake, leading him to study the Bible and find Christ.
"Now, feeling that he could never become a priest, he turned for a time to the study of law, but finally abandoned this purpose and determined to devote his life to the gospel. But he hesitated to become a public teacher. He was naturally timid, and was burdened with a sense of the weighty responsibility of the position, and he desired still to devote himself to study. The earnest entreaties of his friends, however, at last won his consent. “Wonderful it is,” he said, “that one of so lowly an origin should be exalted to so great a dignity.”— Wylie, b. 13, ch. 9. GC 221.3"
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work."
Both passages touch on the idea of being called to a religious office and feeling unworthy or hesitant. 1 Timothy 3:1 speaks of desiring the office of a bishop, while the EGW passage describes Calvin's reluctance to become a public teacher due to his timidity and sense of responsibility.
"Quietly did Calvin enter upon his work, and his words were as the dew falling to refresh the earth. He had left Paris, and was now in a provincial town under the protection of the princess Margaret, who, loving the gospel, extended her protection to its disciples. Calvin was still a youth, of gentle, unpretentious bearing. His work began with the people at their homes. Surrounded by the members of the household, he read the Bible and opened the truths of salvation. Those who heard the message carried the good news to others, and soon the teacher passed beyond the city to the outlying towns and hamlets. To both the castle and the cabin he found entrance, and he went forward, laying the foundation of churches that were to yield fearless witnesses for the truth. GC 221.4"
"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
Both passages describe individuals spreading the gospel through personal interactions and house-to-house ministry. Calvin's work mirrors the early church's approach as described in Acts.