Everyone Needs An Apostle
Posted May 7, 2007
I will be departing for Israel on June 13, 2007. My purpose for going there is to establish a work in Israel directed by the seven spirits of God.
Isaiah 11:1-4 says, "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: v.1
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; v.2
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: v.3
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." v.4
I can see Jehovah continues to perfect my faith and my love and is presently preparing me for my ministry in Israel.
God is taking me back to a period in 1972-1976. I was living in Argyle, Texas in obedience to God and was seeking God's direction to deliver me from Argyle. I was confronted with many opportunities to join myself with other people of God. I had lived in Florida for a year, 1971-1972, and had developed somewhat of a relationship with Derek Prince. I had listened to the things that Derek had taught over the years, and one of the things that I noticed about him was that he taught that he had laid the foundation in God's people. I Corinthians 3:11 tells us that an apostle lays the foundation. Ephesians 2:19-20 states, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; v.19 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" We see from these passages that apostles and prophets lay the foundation, and every one else builds upon that foundation. I continued to listen to the various ministers of the body of Christ. I did not hear anyone say that they were apostles and prophets, and state what I Corinthians 3:11 states. God had led me to Argyle and into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4, Luke 4) All the time that I was in Argyle, I endured one temptation after another. I had various ministers try to counsel me on what I ought to do, but none of them seemed to have the word of God for me.
II Corinthians 10 is written by Paul an apostle. Verses 1-6 say, "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: v.1
But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. v.2
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: v.3
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) v.4
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; v.5
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." v.6
It is not my purpose to teach the first five verses of this chapter, but it is my purpose to teach you the sixth verse. I can see that Paul had the authority and stated that he had a readiness to revenge all disobedience (which was set against me) when your (my obedience) is fulfilled. Reading these passages of scripture as well as others, I saw the need of an apostle in my life. I knew in my heart that I had to have an apostle to get me out of where God had led me to be tempted of the devil. I sought direction from God, and I listened to various speakers. I tried the spirits that they walked in. Although Derek Prince professed to have laid the foundation in the body of Christ, I only heard him acknowledge that he was a teacher. I never heard Derek acknowledge himself to be an apostle and prophet. I was determined to know the will of God for my life. By and large, Derek and I had some very cordial conversations with one another. Even as I became confrontational with him about my life, our conversations remained civil. The day came when Derek and I were talking, and he rung his hands and said, "Doyle, I do not know what to do with you." I said, "Thank you." I had received the answer that I wanted. I wanted to know if Derek Prince was an apostle and prophet, if so, I knew that he would have the authority to revenge all disobedience (which was set against me), when my obedience was fulfilled. I did not know of any disobedience in my life, but I knew that God is faithful to show me if I did have.
After that day, it became clear in my spirit that I had to only hear from the Lord Jesus. I sought him, believing that he would correct me and deliver me. Within a few weeks, God spoke to me and told me to go back to McKinney, Texas. I did, and anyone who reads about my life or has watched my life know how God brought me out of the wilderness and put me in the First United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas where my ministry first began. During the time of my discussions with Derek, I did not know that I was an apostle and prophet, although God would tell me that I was a prophet but I did not believe it. The day came when God, through the Holy Spirit, convinced me that I was an apostle and prophet. Nothing could cause me to doubt that I was an apostle and prophet of Jesus Christ, not by the will of man but by the will of God and sent by God to the world.
For more about My Experiences with the Shepharding Movement.
God bless you,
Doyle Davidson
