Thank you for the question on heresy, “What will you do if you pastor begins to claim that he is another Jesus?”
This is what I will do according Matthew 18: “5 “If your brother or sister[b] sins,[c] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[d] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (NIV).
1. I will replay the recorded message to make sure that I heard him correctly in his claim to be another Jesus.
2. I will make an appointment to have a one to one conversation about what I heard and asked if he missed spoke by accident or does he believe that he is another Jesus. I would give him the opportunity to explain himself to me.
3. If the pastor persists that he is another Jesus, I would let another church leader know about his heresy. I would ask that church leader to go with me to confront the pastor.
If the pastor refuses to change his perspective, I will bring it before the Church Board to accuse him of heresy. The pastor will be given an opportunity to make his position clear before the Church Leaders.
4. I will ask the Church Leaders what do they intend to do about this heretical teaching. I would ask that the Church Leaders confront him and if he refuses to change his position that he be removed from being the pastor of the Church.
5. If the Church Leaders agree with him or refuses to remove him from office, I may consider the following responses:
I may consider bringing a petition before the Church Leaders of names who agree that the pastor is teaching heresy and needs to be removed from office. I will follow the By-Law of the Church for the removal of a Church Leader or of a pastor.
If this fails or the Church Leaders refuses to act on the petition, I would consider confronting the pastor in the worship service for heresy. In my opinion, the Church Leadership nor the Church Family can be silent on this heresy.
If the Church Leaders or the majority of the Church members agree that he is Jesus, I would give my resignation and leave the Church.
SUMMARY: Believers are to follow the procedure in Matthew 18 and the By-Law for the removal of a Church Leader or staff member.