"In like manner you are a sinner. You cannot atone for your past sins; you cannot change your heart and make yourself holy. But God promises to do all this for you through Christ. You believe that promise. You confess your sins and give yourself to God. You will to serve Him. Just as surely as you do this, God will fulfill His word to you. If you believe the promise,—believe that you are forgiven and cleansed,—God supplies the fact; you are made whole, just as Christ gave the paralytic power to walk when the man believed that he was healed. It is so if you believe it. SC 51.1"
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of confessing sins and receiving forgiveness and cleansing, as stated in 1 John 1:9.
"When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."
Both passages connect forgiveness of sins with healing. Mark 2:5 explicitly states Jesus forgave the paralytic's sins, while the EGW passage uses the paralytic's healing as an analogy for the process of forgiveness and cleansing through faith. The thematic parallel is the link between divine action (forgiveness/healing) and faith.
"And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."
Both passages highlight the role of faith in receiving healing and strength. The EGW passage uses the healing of the paralytic as an example, while Acts 3:16 speaks of faith in Jesus' name making a man strong. The parallel lies in the emphasis on faith as the means by which divine power is accessed.
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
Both passages address justification by faith, not by works. Romans 4:5 states that faith is counted for righteousness for those who don't work. The EGW passage similarly states that one cannot atone for their own sins or make themselves holy, but must believe in God's promise through Christ. The parallel is the emphasis on faith as the basis for acceptance with God, rather than personal merit.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
Both passages emphasize the importance of believing in Jesus. John 6:29 directly states that believing in Jesus is the work of God. The EGW passage, while broader, includes belief in Christ as a crucial step in receiving forgiveness and being made whole. The principle of believing in Jesus is central to both.
"Do not wait to feel that you are made whole, but say, “I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God has promised.” SC 51.2"
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
The EGW quote directly reflects the principle of faith as defined in Hebrews 11:1, emphasizing belief despite a lack of immediate sensory evidence.
"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
The EGW quote echoes the sentiment in Romans 4:21, highlighting the importance of trusting God's promises and His ability to fulfill them, even when it doesn't feel like it.
"Jesus says, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24 . There is a condition to this promise—that we pray according to the will of God. But it is the will of God to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So we may ask for these blessings, and believe that we receive them, and thank God that we have received them. It is our privilege to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before the law without shame or remorse. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 . SC 51.3"
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Ellen White directly references Mark 11:24 in this passage.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Ellen White directly references Romans 8:1 in this passage.
"Henceforth you are not your own; you are bought with a price. “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold; ... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18, 19 . Through this simple act of believing God, the Holy Spirit has begotten a new life in your heart. You are as a child born into the family of God, and He loves you as He loves His Son. SC 51.4"
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
Both passages discuss the concept of not being one's own due to redemption. EGW directly states this and references 1 Peter 1:18-19, which is closely related to the concept in 1 Corinthians 6:19.
"To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
Both passages discuss redemption and adoption as sons. EGW speaks of being born into the family of God, which aligns with the concept of adoption in Galatians 4:5.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
Both passages discuss becoming sons of God through belief. EGW mentions being born into the family of God, which is a parallel to the concept in John 1:12.