History of the Berean Bible Society
The Berean Bible Society was founded
over sixty years ago for the sole purpose of helping believers
understand and enjoy the Word of God. Our Organization holds
without apology to all the fundamentals of the Christian faith
and is evangelical, that is, we believe that salvation
is by grace through faith alone on the basis of the shed blood of
Christ.
We also emphasize the importance of proclaiming the whole
counsel of God in light of the Pauline revelation. Insofar as
Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles, it is our firm conviction
that in his epistles alone we have the doctrine, position, walk,
and destiny for the Church, the Body of Christ, during the
dispensation of Grace.
Pastor C. R. Stam
May 27, 1908 - March 9, 2003
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In the Beginning
When did the Berean Bible Society actually have its
beginning? Interestingly, it began in a two-room school house in Preakness (now Wayne),
New Jersey. Here a group of believers began to see the importance of
understanding the "the mystery" revealed to Paul, and
the urgency of proclaiming the unadulterated
"gospel of the grace of God". It was Pastor C. R. Stam's first
pastorate: the Preakness Community Church.
When the school house had to be torn down, the little group
felt led of God to launch a building program, even though they
were in the depth of the Great Depression. The builder was our
beloved Herbert Birchenough, though other members helped put in
the basement and served in other ways. In this church the
Berean Searchlight was first published.
It was not long before Pastor Stam was addressing a
well-filled church each Sunday, with Mr. Ernest Ulmer the
Superintendent of a growing, enthusiastic Sunday School. Brother
Ulmer's fervor and godly life were an inspiration to these young
people and many of them gave their hearts and lives to the Lord.
Later, in 1945, Pastor and Mrs. Stam moved to Milwaukee, where
he joined Pastor Charles F. Baker in establishing the Milwaukee
Bible Institute. The
Berean Searchlight, however, and
Pastor Stam's broadcast and wire recorded Bible lessons
continued from a rented office. It was not a pretentious
headquarters, but it was light and roomy, with plenty of storage
space.
The Years at Milwaukee
Pastor Stam's Personal Testimony
How abundant is the grace of God, and how
perfect His timing!
In September, 1944, the Board of Directors of Grace Gospel
Fellowship, after months of prayer and discussion, felt led
of God to establish a Bible Institute in Milwaukee, hopefully
with Pastor Charles R Baker as its president and me as its dean.
The need was indeed great for a dispensational Bible Institute,
and the time was ripe. Thus Pastor Baker and I agreed to meet in
Milwaukee the next year to prepare a curriculum and attend to
other details connected with the opening of a Bible Institute.
Pastor J. C. O'Hair put himself into the promotion of the school,
and Mr. T. R. Huston, of Milwaukee, contributed generously toward
the financial needs.
Thus the Milwaukee Bible Institute opened its doors for
classes on September 15, 1945, with Charles R Baker as president
and instructor in Bible Doctrine, and C. R. Stam as dean
and instructor in Bible Exposition and Dispensationalism.
Other instructors taught other courses, including some being
offered at a local evening school by the same name, already in
operation at Pastor Baker's Fundamental Bible Church.
These were days when we were indeed overworked, for the
Berean Searchlight, our wire
recorded Bible lessons, our broadcast and the other ministries
begun in New Jersey could not be neglected. In addition to these
duties I soon had 13 hours of teaching weekly (that's at least 39
hours of work!) and two weekly Bible classes in the Chicago area
(both of which eventually became organized churches).
But the most difficult of all was the breaking of new ground
in most of my courses, for there were virtually no textbooks
which taught these courses from a dispensational, much less a
Pauline, point of view. But God was in it, for as a result five
of our books came into being: Man, His Nature and Destiny,
True Spirituality, The Two-Fold Purpose of God, our
four-volume set on Acts Dispensationally Considered and
The Fundamentals of Dispensationalism (nowThings That Differ).
These first appeared as Milwaukee
Bible Institute courses and were later published as
books by Berean Bible Society. It has been a singular
cause for thanksgiving to us, that the book written under the
greatest stress, Things That Differ, soon became and has
continued for almost 40 years to be our best seller by far. As
we look back at all this we exclaim "what God hath
wrought!" For under God, it was these and other of our
writings especially the Berean Searchlight
which
brought about all the other ministries of Berean
Bible Society.
How we enjoyed sharing the truths in these books-and
others-with those dear students at Milwaukee Bible Institute!
Still, much as we loved them, and enjoyed the fellowship with Pastor
Baker and the other members of the faculty and staff, it became
necessary, after almost five years (we had promised two), to say
farewell to Milwaukee Bible Institute and give all of our
time to Berean Bible Society again. The work had kept
growing despite our inability to give it the needed attention.
Growth in Chicago
In 1953 the Berean Bible Society was moved to Chicago,
the center of Fundamentalism in America at that time. A building
only two years old, well built and situated on one of Chicago's
main thoroughfares (Belmont Avenue) was purchased for only
$38,600. Now the Berean Searchlight
would at last be published in a building of its own!
By 1958, however, the building BBS had purchased was already
too cramped for efficient operation and had to be enlarged. As the
ministries of Berean Bible Society kept growing,
the building had to be enlarged again in 1967.
Now the Berean Searchlight, our
taped Bible lessons, our publication of Bible study books, our
telephone messages, and all our other ministries emanate from
this building-again used almost to capacity!
Interlude at North Shore Church
North Shore Church
Pastor John C. O'Hair
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Pastor O'Hair was, without a doubt, the one person who, more
than any other, was used of God to establish among believers what
Paul, by inspiration calls, "the preaching of Jesus
Christ according to the revelation of the mystery." He
knew that he had the Scriptural solution to the current
theological confusion and preached the Word with great power. His
oral ministry (including radio) and his many books had a profound
effect on thousands here and abroad. As a gospel preacher and
soul winner he was without a peer just because he
understood so clearly the truth of the unadulterated "gospel
of the grace of God." The Church, all over the world,
owes him much.
 Pastor O'Hair's Testimony
J.C. O'Hair Online Library
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Pastor Stam's Testimony
(As to His North Shore Pastorate)
Pastor O'Hair had been like a father to me. Thus when he asked
me if I would accept a possible call to the pastorate of North
Shore Church upon his decease, I could not take it lightly. I
was touched and honored.
I had always loved that congregation. Like their pastor, they
were warm, generous and dynamic in their stand for the truth. But
I also loved the work at BBS and was responsible for it.
"What shall I do about BBS?" I asked Pastor O'Hair,
"just desert it?" That seemed no problem to him; he was
sure the Lord would provide in some way for BBS. But I felt
called to BBS, so after some further discussion I promised only
to make it a matter of special prayer. The need at North Shore
and my indebtedness to Pastor O'Hair on the one hand, and my
love and responsibility toward Berean Bible Society on
the other, created a real struggle for me in those days, and I
could not wait too long to decide with Pastor O'Hair so ill.
Finally I promised him that should a call be tendered me, I would
accept the pastorate for one year with the understanding that I
would still fulfill my responsibilities at BBS as best I could.
This seemed to be the Lord's leading.
The call was extended after Pastor O'Hair's home-going, but
somehow the promised year became almost two years, when I was
forced to resign due to debilitating migraine headaches.
These had been blessed, if busy years, but much as I enjoyed
the work and loved the people, it seemed good once again to be
giving all my time and attention to the Berean Bible Society.
A Sacrifice of Love
The BBS Board of Directors and Pastor Stam will not soon
forget the year 1987. This was the year when God wrought for them
in a way that had seemed all but impossible.
For some years they had been struggling with a growing problem
that threatened the very existence of Berean Bible Society until
certain matters were brought to light that made it necessary to
call an emergency meeting of the Board.
It was already evident that the Berean Bible Society would
need a new president-and almost immediately, for with Pastor Stam
in poor health he could not efficiently oversee the affairs of
this growing ministry even temporarily. Without a doubt this was
the greatest crisis Pastor Stam had faced in his 47 years at Berean
Bible Society. It was also the greatest crisis in the history
of the Society and its Board of Directors.
Who could possibly carry on the work now? Men qualified to
preside over such an organization as Berean Bible Society do
not "grow on trees."
We did have among our own members, one man whom we would
have chosen if he were available. He was Pastor Paul Sadler,
of Falls Bible Church, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. All of
us knew him well, and most of us had known him for many years. A
few had worked with him on one or more "grace" boards.
There was not one of us who did not highly respect both his
ability and his character.
But, surely he was not available. He was pastor of a growing
congregation of grace believers, and together they had but
recently involved themselves in the purchase of land and the
construction of a new and larger church building. How could Falls
Bible Church be expected to give up the man who, under God,
had led them to this point? And there was now considerable
indebtedness to consider and another pastor who should be
acceptable to them.
It was in the depth of our need that God undertook for us.
Knowing no other way, the board asked Brother Sadler if he
might at least convey to his official board the seriousness of
the situation provided he felt that God would have him accept the
presidency of BBS. He agreed to do this, and to accept the
presidency should the board and the congregation show a
willingness to relinquish their pastor to Berean BibleSociety.
As Pastor Sadler described our plight, first to the Falls
Church Board of Directors, and then to the congregation, they
both took action which we had hardly dared to expect. They showed
a degree of sympathy and understanding indeed, of selflessness
that touched us all deeply. They agreed overwhelmingly to
relinquish their beloved pastor to Berean Bible Society, and
permitted him to begin immediately to travel to Chicago three
days each week to keep the ministries of BBS going.
Surely God will bless these dear saints for their loving
sacrifice, and how can we forget their generosity in helping Berean
Bible Society through this difficult time?
Love's Long Journey
Pastor Sadler's Personal Testimony
Pastor Paul
Sadler
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Nestled in the hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, stands my
boyhood home. Back in those days my family rarely attended
church, although I am grateful that I was raised in a home where
there was a high standard of moral conduct.
I am thankful for a godly aunt who lived next door to us. She
saw to it that I was in Sunday School every week. She prayed
faithfully for my salvation and took advantage of every
opportunity to tell me about the Lord as we clattered along
in her 1927 Plymouth on the way to church.
As the years passed I was drawn into the clutches of
worldliness, which caused me to become more and more indifferent
to spiritual things. But the effectual fervent prayers of a godly
aunt availed much!
Shortly after my wife, Vicki, and I were married the Lord
brought us under deep conviction of our sins. Having a sense of
urgency to escape the wrath of God, we immediately went back to
the Baptist pastor who had married us. He graciously explained
the way of salvation, and both of us were gloriously saved
that day in his office. The pastor later commented that in all
his years of ministry this was the first time he had ever had the
opportunity to lead both husband and wife to the Lord at the same
time. And he added:
"Apparently the Lord has something very
special for you to do in His service." We shall be eternally grateful
to my aunt and to this dear man of God.
After having attended and graduated from Berean School of Bible and
Theology I accepted my first pastorate at the Grace Christian Church
of Independence, Kentucky, and after a two year tenure there, I received
a call to pastor the Falls Bible Church in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
Vicki and I had the privilege of ministering the good news of God's grace there
for nine years.
In December, 1987, we moved to Chicago, having been called to
the presidency of the Berean Bible Society which, as you
have seen, is an international organization for the promotion of
God's Word, rightly divided, ministering regularly to people in
every state of the Union and more than 60 foreign countries.
And now, having led us safely thus far, will our faithful Lord
forsake us?
Surely not. Rather we can say with Frances Ridley Havergal:
I am trusting Thee to guide me:
Thou alone shalt lead,
Ev'ry day and hour supplying
All my need.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus;
Never let me fall.
I am trusting Thee for ever,
And for all.
The Threshold of a New Era
By Paul M. Sadler
On more than one occasion we have felt like the Apostle Paul
when he wrote: "Unto me, who am less than the least of
all saints is this grace given, that I should preach among
the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."
It goes far beyond my comprehension why God saved an
undeserving sinner such as I, to proclaim the precious truths of
His Word. Ever since grace arrested this unworthy sinner, it has
created within me the desire to proclaim "the exceeding
riches of His grace."
More than fifty years ago the Lord laid this same burden on
the heart of Pastor Stam, who sacrificially devoted his entire
life "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the
mystery." And now, as he rounds the final turn, approaching
the home stretch, the finish line is beginning to come into view.
There is no question in my mind that, like the Apostle Paul, he
will, in the years to come, finish his course with joy and
receive a crown of righteousness.
Unlike other ministries, which have failed with the passing of
their dynamic leaders, the Berean Bible Society has not
been built upon a man (to Brother Stam's credit) but rather on
the Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed message of grace.
This is why, by God's grace, various provisions have been made
to ensure that the Word, rightly divided, will continue to go
forth unhindered. One of these arrangements, of course, was to
make sure that someone was prepared to assume the
responsibilities of the work upon Pastor Stam's home-going. While
I feel unworthy to even have been considered for such a position,
my prayer is that God will use me in spite of my inadequacies.
Actually, as we stand together on the threshold of a new era,
the future of Berean Bible Society, indeed, of the entire
Grace Movement rests, humanly speaking, upon the support of the
friends of grace. Let us not be overwhelmed at the enormity of
the task, however. Let us rather rise to the occasion "to
the praise of His glory."
And Now?
By C. R. Stam
And now what is it our beloved Brother Sadler will need most
as he takes on more and more of the responsibilities of the
presidency of the Berean Bible Society?
I do hope that no one has so misconstrued my comments about
him as to suppose that Berean Bible Society now has a perfect
man as its president. This would do our brother a grave
injustice, for who can live up to a reputation of perfection?
Brother Sadler and I have both lived sheltered lives and, by
the grace of God, have been delivered from the grosser forms of
evil. But as for myself, as I look back over the past years I
must recall, not only many shortcomings and failures, but many
sins: pride, willfulness and worse. Yet God knew my heart's
desire and my daily prayer that He might make me what I ought to
be, a vessel truly "meet for the Master's use." And we
know that this is Brother Sadler's earnest prayer too.
The Apostle James says of Elijah (so greatly used of God):
"Elias was a man subject to like passions as we
are," but demonstrates the key to his
"greatness" as he continues: " and he
prayed earnestly." (James 5:18). This shows that Elijah
was not great in himself. He had to pray earnestly in his
service for God-and so did James and his brethren-and so do
we.
When the Lystrians would have worshipped Paul and Barnabas,
these two men of God were so distressed that they "rent
their clothes and ran in among them, crying out:
"..Sirs, why do ye these things? we also are men
of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye
should turn from these vanities unto the living God..."
(Acts 14:14,15).
Thus, what our beloved "Brother Paul" needs and
desires for whatever time lies ahead is not your adoration but
your respect and love and understanding as you have so freely
given them to me through the years. Along with this you will
naturally give him your earnest prayers and your support yes,
your financial support, "as the Lord hath prospered
you." We know what it means to bear the many
responsibilities of our God given ministry and the additional
burden of concern over large bills almost due. We pray that, for
the work's sake, our brother will not often have to bear this
burden, so that "the Word of the Lord may have free course
and be glorified."
And now, dear Brother Sadler, may God bless you richly as you
conduct the affairs of the Berean Bible Society to the
glory of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Our Relocation to Wisconsin
In the fall of 1993 the Board of Directors began diligently
working on a much needed expansion project. Our Chicago facility
had served us well for over 50 years, but it was time again to
expand our horizons. Thus, the Board of Directors voted
unanimously to relocate the ministries of the Berean Bible Society
to a northwest suburb of Milwaukee. With the Lord
leading the way, we erected a new facility in Germantown,
Wisconsin which is better suited to meet our needs. In a sense we
are returning home to our roots. The reason for this move was
manifold:
- 1. EXPANSION OF OUR BOOK STORAGE AREA:
Our storage area in Chicago had been filled to capacity for some time;
consequently, we were storing approximately 20,000 books in other
places. This problem would have only grown more serious as new
volumes were published. Our new facility has over double the
storage space, which should alleviate this problem for many years
to come. Also, a large enough parcel was purchased for future
expansion to avoid being hemmed in by houses or other businesses
as we were in Chicago.
- 2. STAFF:
We have long had a problem encouraging grace believers to join the
staff of BBS in Chicago. Between the high cost of living, traffic and crime,
most were very reluctant to even entertain the thought. After many months of
deliberation, the Board of Directors agreed that BBS should remain in the
Midwest since it is the heart of the Grace Movement. The
state of Wisconsin was chosen simply because it has the highest
concentration of Grace believers in the country. In fact, we had
a new staff on line months in advance of our move.
- 3. AN AGING FACILITY:
Needless to say, the Chicago facility was beginning to require more and more
costly repairs due to its age. We need not remind our readers about the
nightmare of having a flat roof it was one repair after another,
and it still leaked! Furthermore, the building had been built
back in the days when little or no insulation was used; so you
can imagine how costly it was to heat and cool. On the other
hand, our new facility is maintenance free with a PITCHED ROOF!
In addition, it has two-by-six insulated walls with
high-efficiency furnaces, which has cut the cost of our utility
bills considerably. In fact, we have been saving approximately
$600.00 per month during the heating season.
We are looking forward to serving the Lord in our new location
for many, many years to come. May God richly bless His Word as it
goes forth to the praise of His glory. If you have any questions
regarding the ministries of the Berean Bible Society, please
feel free to contact us:
Bible Study
