Welcome to the Charles H. Welch website. You’ll find over 2,000 free dispensational Bible study recordings and writings promoting the Bible study principle of “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” We encourage you to open your Bible and become a Berean, (Acts 17:11) searching the scriptures to see if what is taught is doctrinally sound and true.
1880-1967
About Charles Henry Welch
He was born at Bermondsey England on April 25th, 1880, and his early years were influenced by the study of art at the Bermondsey Settlement. Subsequently he became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ after hearing an address on “Sceptics and the Bible” by Dr. T. W. Munhall, M.A. His conversion was as dramatic as that of the Apostle Paul.
In 1909 he commenced The Berean Expositor which he edited till a few years before his death. This magazine was devoted from the outset to the exposition of the Scriptures, with particular attention to structure and context and the need to obey the command of 2 Timothy 2:15 to rightly divide the Word of Truth. The word “Berean” (Acts 17: 10,11) was used to urge the reader to test for himself by the Word of God all that was written, and so make the truth his own personal possession.
Charles H. Welch was a tireless student of the Bible. His one great aim was to discover and faithfully make known the truth of the Scriptures, and he devoted all his time and energy to this end, whatever the cost. The whole of his ministry, both spoken and written, was Christ-centered. Christ was ALL to him. He had exceptional gifts as a teacher and this was reinforced by his artistic ability, which enabled him to prepare scores of charts, giving the structure and outline of the passage under consideration.
In his early days as a believer he was encouraged by Dr. E. W. Bullinger to write expository articles for “Things to Come”, and on reading them today, one is amazed at their clarity and maturity. His first major volume was “Dispensational Truth” which appeared in 1912. This was followed by “The Apostle of the Reconciliation” and “The Testimony of the Lord’s Prisoner”. Other volumes followed on Romans and Philippians and the climax of his written ministry was reached with the issue of ten volumes of “The Alphabetical Analysis” devoted to the dispensational, foundational, prophetic and practical truth of the Scriptures.
In order that his researches and labours would not be lost to posterity, two trusts were formed, The Berean Publishing Trust, to print, publish and control his writings, and The Berean Forward Movement to encourage the study of the Word of God along dispensational lines, this being centered at Wilson St. Chapel, London, E.C.2., which was re-opened in September 1943 as The Chapel of the Open Book. During his long life, Bible study groups were ministered to regularly all over Britain, and in addition to this, he left on recorded tape a large number of Scriptural expositions which are available free of charge to anyone who is interested to apply for them. All of the 500+ Charles Welch recordings can be found on this web site as well as most of the recordings held at the Chapel of the Opened book and abroad.
It is only fair to say that his outstanding witness would not have been possible but for the constant support and encouragement of his dear wife. This he freely acknowledged. He frequently described himself as an “earthen vessel” whose enabling was solely by the grace of God. When one remembers his long and loyal ministry, despite the opposition and misrepresentation that he often encountered, one can only praise the Lord for so strengthening him that he was able to achieve so much.
Sometimes he was advised to “tone down” or “soft pedal” aspects of truth that are not popular in evangelical circles. This he steadfastly refused to do, in spite of the fact that, had he done so, this would have opened further doors for service and widened his ministry considerably. He often quoted 1 Cor. 4: 2: “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful”, and this was the characteristic quality of all he did for his Saviour and Head.
For him the task is finished and he now rests in the Lord. Many all over the world have been greatly blessed by his expositions. If we ask in what way we can show our appreciation and honour his memory, the answer surely is by a deeper consecration to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the furtherance of a rightly divided Word, for which the best years of our brother’s life were so unselfishly devoted. It is with some sense of ultimate triumph, even in our present sense of loss and sorrow that we use the language of the Apostle in our tribute to his memory:
“I have finished my course; I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4: 7).