"The church of Christ is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. Its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. And the obligation rests upon all Christians. Everyone, to the extent of his talent and opportunity, is to fulfill the Saviour's commission. The love of Christ, revealed to us, makes us debtors to all who know Him not. God has given us light, not for ourselves alone, but to shed upon them. SC 81.1"
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
The EGW passage directly references and expands upon the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19, making it an explicit allusion.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Both passages discuss the mission of believers to spread the gospel to the world, empowered by God. The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of being witnesses to the world.
"I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise."
The EGW passage uses the concept of being 'debtors' to those who haven't heard the gospel, which aligns with Paul's statement in Romans 1:14 about being a debtor to all people. It's a direct application of the principle of obligation to share the gospel.
"If the followers of Christ were awake to duty, there would be thousands where there is one today proclaiming the gospel in heathen lands. And all who could not personally engage in the work, would yet sustain it with their means, their sympathy, and their prayers. And there would be far more earnest labor for souls in Christian countries. SC 81.2"
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
The EGW passage directly relates to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, emphasizing the need for followers of Christ to spread the gospel to all nations, both through direct action and support.
"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;"
Both passages highlight the need for more laborers in spreading the gospel. Matthew 9:37 states the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few, and EGW laments the lack of active followers of Christ engaged in evangelism.
"We need not go to heathen lands, or even leave the narrow circle of the home, if it is there that our duty lies, in order to work for Christ. We can do this in the home circle, in the church, among those with whom we associate, and with whom we do business. SC 81.3"
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
The EGW passage echoes the principle in Acts 1:8 that witnessing for Christ should begin locally (Jerusalem) and then extend outwards. EGW emphasizes that one doesn't need to travel far to work for Christ, aligning with the idea of starting where you are.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The EGW passage aligns with Matthew 5:16 by emphasizing that Christians should work for Christ in their daily lives (home, church, business) so that others may see their good works. This reflects the idea of letting one's light shine.
"and unhonored. He was as faithfully fulfilling His mission while working at His humble trade as when He healed the sick or walked upon the storm-tossed waves of Galilee. So in the humblest duties and lowliest positions of life, we may walk and work with Jesus. SC 81.4"
"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."
Both passages connect with the idea of humility and learning from Jesus. The EGW quote speaks of walking and working with Jesus in lowly positions, while Matthew 11:29 encourages learning from Jesus' meekness and lowliness.
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Both passages emphasize faithfulness in small, seemingly insignificant tasks. The EGW quote expands on the idea of fulfilling one's mission in humble circumstances, similar to the servant who was faithful over a few things in Matthew 25:21.
"Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called."
The EGW quote encourages fulfilling one's mission in whatever circumstances they find themselves, which aligns with the principle in 1 Corinthians 7:20 to abide in the calling wherein one was called.