"“First, I suppose that the gospel of Christ is the whole body of God's law.... I do give and hold the bishop of Rome, forasmuch as he is the vicar of Christ here on earth, to be most bound, of all other men, unto that law of the gospel. For the greatness among Christ's disciples did not consist in worldly dignity or honors, but in the near and exact following of Christ in His life and manners.... Christ, for the time of His pilgrimage here, was a most poor man, abjecting and casting off all worldly rule and honor.... GC 91.2"
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
The EGW passage emphasizes Christ's poverty and humility as examples for religious leaders, which aligns with Matthew 11:29's call to learn meekness and lowliness from Christ. Both passages highlight the importance of humility and rejecting worldly ambition in following Christ.
"“No faithful man ought to follow either the pope himself or any of the holy men, but in such points as he hath followed the Lord Jesus Christ; for Peter and the sons of Zebedee, by desiring worldly honor, contrary to the following of Christ's steps, did offend, and therefore in those errors they are not to be followed.... GC 91.3"
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of following Christ's example, as does 1 Corinthians 11:1. Both emphasize that leaders and individuals should only be followed insofar as they follow Christ.
"“The pope ought to leave unto the secular power all temporal dominion and rule, and thereunto effectually to move and exhort his whole clergy; for so did Christ, and especially by His apostles. Wherefore, if I have erred in any of these points, I will most humbly submit myself unto correction, even by death, if necessity so require; and if I could labor according to my will or desire in mine own person, I would surely present myself before the bishop of Rome; but the Lord hath otherwise visited me to the contrary, and hath taught me rather to obey God than men.” GC 91.4"
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
The EGW passage directly quotes Wycliffe, who is stating the principle of obeying God rather than men. This is a clear echo of Acts 5:29, where Peter and the apostles make the same declaration. The connection is direct and strong.