Justin Peters
| Birth Date | August 27, 1973 |
|---|---|
| Birth Place | Vicksburg, Mississippi |
| Occupation(s) | Elder, teacher, author |
| Residency | Billings, Montana |
| Affiliation(s) | Justin Peters Ministries |
| Spouse(s) | Kathy Peters |
| Website | justinpeters.org |
Justin Peters (born August 27, 1973) is an American Calvinistic Baptist who operates Justin Peters Ministries, a worldwide expository preaching/teaching and discernment ministry. Peters is a widely-known teacher, evangelist, and author with a focus primarily in biblical discernment and his critique of the Word of Faith movement. Peters ministry goals are to equip believers with a deeper understanding of biblical truth while addressing theological errors within contemporary Christianity. Peters is a prominent figure in Reformed Christian circles and is recognized for his seminars, radio programs, and writings that emphasize the sufficiency of Scripture and the sovereignty of God.
Early Life and Education
Justin Peters was born and raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of one, he faced significant physical challenges throughout his life, which he later cited as influential in shaping his theological perspective on God’s sovereignty and human suffering. Peters pursued higher education at Mississippi State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1995. He went on to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, obtaining a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in 2000 and a Master of Theology (Th.M.) in 2002, with an emphasis on biblical languages.[1]
Conversion and Ministry Calling
Despite his theological training and early involvement in ministry, Peters has shared that he did not come to genuine faith in Christ until later in life. In his testimony, he describes a period of self-examination in the mid-2000s, during which he recognized his prior lack of understanding of repentance and true salvation. This experience, coupled with his growing exposure to Reformed theology and the Doctrines of Grace, profoundly shaped his subsequent ministry focus on sound doctrine and discernment.
Peters founded Justin Peters Ministries with the mission of proclaiming the gospel and helping Christians "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). His work gained prominence through his seminar Clouds Without Water, which offers a biblical critique of the Word of Faith movement—a theological perspective he argues distorts the gospel by emphasizing health, wealth, and prosperity over biblical truth.
Career and Work
Peters is an itinerant preacher and conference speaker, having delivered messages in churches, seminaries, and conferences across 42 U.S. states and 23 countries. His teaching is characterized by an expository approach, focusing on verse-by-verse explanations of Scripture. He is a cessationist, holding the view that miraculous gifts such as tongues, prophecy, and healing ceased with the apostolic era, a stance that informs his critiques of charismatic and Pentecostal movements.
In addition to his speaking engagements, Peters hosts a daily radio program and maintains an active presence on platforms like YouTube, where he shares sermons, interviews, and critiques of prominent religious figures. He has attended numerous Word of Faith events to document and analyze their teachings, often highlighting what he sees as exploitation of vulnerable individuals and a misrepresentation of God’s character.
Peters has authored Do Not Hinder Them: A Biblical Examination of Childhood Conversion (2016), a book that explores the theological implications of child conversion and baptism, advocating for a cautious approach rooted in biblical evidence of genuine faith. The work has been endorsed by notable figures such as John MacArthur.
Theological Views
Peters adheres to Reformed theology, emphasizing the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and salvation by grace alone through faith alone. He is a vocal critic of the prosperity gospel, New Apostolic Reformation, and other movements he considers unbiblical. His critiques often focus on figures such as Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, and Steven Furtick, whom he accuses of promoting a different and therefore false gospel that prioritizes personal gain over repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
As a cessationist, Peters argues that modern claims of miracles and supernatural gifts lack biblical support and historical continuity, tracing their resurgence to the early 20th-century Pentecostal movement. He advocates for a literal grammatical-historical approach to biblical interpretation, rejecting allegorical or experiential readings of Scripture.
Personal Life
Peters met his wife, Kathy, at an evangelism conference near Los Angeles, California, in 2009. They married in August 2010 and have resided in various locations, including wikipedia:Sandpoint, Idaho (2014–2019), where they were members of Kootenai Community Church. As of 2025, they live near Billings, Montana, and are members of Laurel Bible Church, where Peters serves as an elder. The couple has a dog named Mia, whom Peters humorously references in his writings and talks.
Reception
Peters is widely respected within Reformed and conservative evangelical communities for his commitment to biblical fidelity and his willingness to confront controversial topics. Supporters, including prominent pastors like John MacArthur and Paul Washer, praise his humility, clarity, and passion for God’s glory. His seminar Clouds Without Water has been lauded for its thorough research and accessibility, equipping believers to discern theological error.
However, Peters has faced criticism from charismatic and Pentecostal circles, where some accuse him of legalism, divisiveness, or misrepresenting their beliefs. Critics argue that his cessationist stance and broad critiques of spiritual gifts dismiss genuine experiences of faith. Others have labeled him a "modern-day Pharisee," a charge he has addressed by emphasizing his intent to protect the church from deception rather than to condemn individuals.
Legacy and Influence
Justin Peters remains a significant voice in the discernment ministry movement, influencing countless believers through his teachings and resources. His emphasis on Scripture as the ultimate authority and his personal journey from false conversion to authentic faith resonate with audiences seeking clarity in an era of theological confusion. As of March 28, 2025, he continues to preach, write, and engage with contemporary Christian issues, maintaining a focus on glorifying God through the proclamation of biblical truth.
Published Works
- Do Not Hinder Them: A Biblical Examination of Childhood Conversion (December 26, 2016)
