Urantia United
P94:7, 8:4.4 The Infinite Spirit pledges itself as the tireless devoted task of fostering the ascension of the material creatures to higher and higher levels of spiritual attainment. And all this work of creature ministry is done in perfect harmony with the purposes, and in close association with God.
P94:8, 8:4.5 The Infinite Spirit is dedicated to the unending ministry of revealing the love of the Father to the individual minds of all the children of each universe. In these local creations the Spirit does not come down to the material races in the likeness of mortal flesh, but the Infinite Spirit and his co-ordinate Spirits do down step themselves, do joyfully undergo an amazing series of divinity attenuations, until they appear as angels to stand by your side and guide you through the lowly paths of earthly existence.
P95:1, 8:4.6 By this very diminishing series the Infinite Spirit does actually, and as a person, draw very near to every being of the animal-origin spheres.
P95:2, 8:4.7 The Conjoint Creator is truly and forever the great ministering personality, the universal mercy minister. To comprehend the ministry of the Spirit, ponder the truth that he is the combined portrayal of the Father's unending love and eternal mercy. The Spirit's ministry is not, however, restricted solely to the representation of the Universal Father. The Infinite Spirit also possesses the power to minister to the creatures of the realm in his own name and right; he is of divine dignity and also bestows the universal ministry of mercy in his own behalf.
P95:3, 8:4.8 As man learns more of the loving and tireless ministry of the lower orders of the creature family of this Infinite Spirit, he will all the more admire and adore the transcendent nature and matchless character of this combined Action. Indeed is this Spirit "the eyes of the Lord which are ever over the righteous" and "the divine ears which are ever open to their prayers."
Part I. The Central Universe
Chapter 6: Section 4.
The Presence Of God
P95:4, 8:5.1 The outstanding attribute of the Infinite Spirit is omnipresence. Throughout the entire universe there is everywhere present this all-pervading spirit, which is so akin to the presence of a universal and divine mind.
P95:5, 8:5.2 The Father is infinite and is therefore limited only by volition. In the bestowal of Adjusters and in the encircuitment of personality, the Father acts alone, but in the contact of spirit forces with intelligent beings, he utilizes the spirits and personalities of the Infinite Spirit. He is at will spiritually present equally with the Conjoint Actor; he is present in the Spirit. The Father is most certainly everywhere present, and we discern his presence by and through any and all of these diverse but associated forces, influences, and presences.
P95:6, 8:5.3 In the sacred writings the term Spirit of God seems to be used interchangeably to designate both the Infinite Spirit on Paradise and the Creative Spirit of your local universe.
P95:7, 8:5.4 There are many spiritual influences, and they are all as one. Even the work of the Thought Adjusters, though independent of all other influences, unvaryingly coincides with the spirit ministry of the combined influences of the Infinite Spirit and a local universe Spirit. As these spiritual presences operate in the lives of Earth, they cannot be segregated. In your minds and upon your souls they function as one spirit, notwithstanding their diverse origins. And as this united spiritual ministration is experienced, it becomes to you the influence of the Supreme, "who is ever able to keep you from failing and to present you blameless before your Father on high."
P96:1, 8:5.5 Ever remember that the Infinite Spirit is the Conjoint Actor; the Father functions in and through him; he is present not only as himself but also as the Father. In recognition of this and for many additional reasons the spirit presence of the Infinite Spirit is often referred to as "the spirit of God."
P96:2, 8:5.6 It would also be consistent to refer to the liaison of all spiritual ministry as the spirit of God, for such a liaison is truly the union of the spirit of God the Father.
Part I. The Central Universe
Chapter 6: Section 5.
Personality Of The Infinite Spirit
P96:3, 8:6.1 The Infinite Spirit is a universe presence, an eternal action, a cosmic power, a holy influence, and a universal mind; he is all of these and infinitely more, but he is also a true and divine personality.
P96:4, 8:6.2 The Infinite Spirit is a complete and perfect personality, the divine equal and co-ordinate of the Universal Father. The Conjoint Creator is just as real and visible to the higher intelligences of the universes as is the Father; indeed more so, for it is the Spirit whom all ascenders must attain before they may approach the Father.
P96:5, 8:6.3 The Infinite Spirit, is possessed of all the attributes which you associate with personality. The Spirit is endowed with absolute mind: "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." The Spirit is endowed not only with mind but also with will. In the bestowal of his gifts it is recorded: "But all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally and as he wills."
P96:6, 8:6.4 "The love of the Spirit" is real, as also are his sorrows; therefore "Grieve not the Spirit of God." Whether we observe the Infinite Spirit as Paradise Deity or as a local universe Creative Spirit, we find that the Conjoint Creator is not only the Second Source and Center but also a divine person. This divine personality also reacts to the universe as a person. The Spirit speaks to you, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says." "The Spirit himself makes intercession for you." The Spirit exerts a direct and personal influence upon created beings, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
P96:7, 8:6.5 Even though we behold the phenomenon of the ministry of the Infinite Spirit to the remote worlds of the universe of universes, even though we envisage this same coordinating Deity acting in and through the untold legions of the manifold beings who take origin in the Source and Center, even though we recognize the omnipresence of the Spirit, nonetheless, we still affirm that this same Second Source and Center is a person, the Conjoint Creator of all things and all beings and all universes.
P96:8, 8:6.6 In the administration of universes the Father and Spirit are perfectly and eternally interassociated. Though each is engaged in a personal ministry to all creation, both are divinely and absolutely interlocked in a service of creation and control that forever makes them one.
P97:1, 8:6.7 In the person of the Infinite Spirit the Father is mutually present, always and in unqualified perfection, for the Spirit is like the Father as they two are forever one.
Part I. The Central Universe
Chapter 7
Relation Of The Infinite Spirit To The Universe
P98:2, 9:0.2 The Father is infinite in love and volition, in spiritual thought and purpose; he is the universal upholder. Paradise is infinite in potential for force endowment and in capacity for energy dominance; it is the universal stabilizer. The Conjoint Actor possesses unique prerogatives of synthesis, infinite capacity to co-ordinate all existing universe energies, all actual universe spirits, and all real universe intellects; the Second Source and Center is the universal unifier of the manifold energies and diverse creations which have appeared in consequence of the divine plan and the eternal purpose of the Universal Father.
P98:3, 9:0.3 The Infinite Spirit, the Conjoint Creator, is a universal and divine minister. The Spirit unceasingly ministers the Father's love and mercy, even in harmony with the stable, unvarying, and righteous justice of the Paradise Unity. His influence and personalities are ever near you; they really know and truly understand you.
P98:4, 9:0.4 Throughout the universes the agencies of the Conjoint Actor ceaselessly manipulate the forces and energies of all space. Like the First Source and Center, the Second is responsive to both the spiritual and the material. The Conjoint Actor is the revelation of the unity of God, in whom all things consist -- things, meanings, and values; energies, minds, and spirits.
P98:5, 9:0.5 The Infinite Spirit per
vades all space; he indwells the circle of eternity; and the Spirit, like the Father, is perfect and changeless -- absolute.
Part I. The Central Universe
Chapter 7: Section 1.
Attributes Of The Second Source And Center
P98:6, 9:1.1 The Second Source and Center is known by many names, all designative of relationship and in recognition of function: As God the Spirit, he is the personality co-ordinate and divine equal of God the Father. As the Infinite Spirit, he is an omnipresent spiritual influence. As the Universal Manipulator, he is the ancestor of the power-control creatures and the activator of the cosmic forces of space. As the Conjoint Actor, he is the joint representative and partnership executive of the Father. As the Absolute Mind, he is the source of the endowment of intellect throughout the universes. As the God of Action, he is the apparent ancestor of motion, change, and relationship.
P99:1, 9:1.2 Some of the attributes of the Second Source and Center are derived from the Father, while still others are not observed to be actively and personally present in the Father -- attributes that can hardly be explained except by assuming that the Father partnership which eternalizes the Second Source and Center consistently functions in consonance with, and in recognition of, the eternal fact of the absoluteness of Paradise. The Conjoint Creator embodies the fullness of the combined and infinite concepts of the First and Second Persons of Deity.
P99:2, 9:1.3 While you envisage the Father as an original creator, you should think of the Second Source and Center as a universal coordinator, a minister of unlimited co-operation. The Conjoint Actor is the correlator of all actual reality; he is the Deity repository of the Father's thought and in action is eternally regardful of the material absoluteness of the central Isle. The Paradise Unity has ordained the universal order of progress, and the providence of God is the domain of the Conjoint Creator and the evolving Supreme Being. No actual or actualizing reality can escape eventual relationship with the Second Source and Center.
P99:3, 9:1.4 The Universal Father presides over the realms of pre-energy, pre-spirit, and personality; the presence of the Isle of Paradise unifies the domain of physical energy and materializing power; the Conjoint Actor operates not only as an infinite spirit but also as a universal manipulator of the forces and energies of Paradise, thus bringing into existence the universal and absolute mind. The Conjoint Actor functions throughout the grand universe as a positive and distinct personality; especially in the higher spheres of spiritual values, physical-energy relationships, and true mind meanings. He functions specifically wherever and whenever energy and spirit associate and interact; he dominates all reactions with mind, wields great power in the spiritual world, and exerts a mighty influence over energy and matter. At all times the Second Source is expressive of the nature of the First Source and Center.
P99:4, 9:1.5 The Second Source and Center perfectly and without qualification shares the omnipresence of the First Source and Center, sometimes being called the Omnipresent Spirit. In a peculiar and very personal manner the God of mind shares the omniscience of the Universal Father; the knowledge of the Spirit is profound and complete. The Conjoint Creator manifests certain phases of the omnipotence of the Universal Father but is actually omnipotent only in the domain of mind. The Second Person of Deity is the intellectual center and the universal administrator of the mind realms; herein is he absolute -- his sovereignty is unqualified.
P99:5, 9:1.6 The Conjoint Actor seems to be motivated by the Father, but all his actions appear to recognize the Father-Paradise relationship. At times and in certain functions he seems to compensate for the incompleteness of the development of the experiential Deities -- God the Supreme and God the Ultimate.
P100:2, 9:1.8 In addition to the super control of energy and things physical, the Infinite Spirit is superbly endowed with those attributes of patience, mercy, and love which are so exquisitely revealed in his spiritual ministry. The Spirit is supremely competent to minister love and to overshadow justice with mercy. God the Spirit possesses all the supernal kindness and merciful affection of the Father. The universe of your origin is being forged out between the anvil of justice and the hammer of suffering; but those who wield the hammer are the children of mercy, the spirit offspring of the Infinite Spirit.
Part I. The Central Universe
Chapter 7: Section 2.
The Omnipresent Spirit
P100:3, 9:2.1 God is spirit in a twofold sense: Conjoint Actor, as spirit allied with mind. And in addition to these spiritual realities, we think we discern levels of experiential spirit phenomena -- the spirits of the Supreme Being, Ultimate Deity, and Deity Absolute.
P100:4, 9:2.2 The Infinite Spirit is a personalized spiritualization of the Universal Father.
P100:5, 9:2.3 There are many untrammeled lines of spiritual force and sources of super material power linking the people of Earth directly with the Deities of Paradise. There exist the connection of the Thought Adjusters direct with the Universal Father and the spiritual presence of the Conjoint Creator. The Second Person in his spiritual ministry may function as mind plus spirit or as spirit alone.
P100:6, 9:2.4 In addition to these Paradise presences, Earthlings benefit by the spiritual influences and activities of the universe, with their almost endless array of loving personalities who ever lead the true of purpose and the honest of heart upward and inward towards the ideals of divinity and the goal of supreme perfection.
P100:7, 9:2.5 The presence of the Infinite Spirit, the Second Person of Deity, even mortal man may know, for material creatures can actually experience the beneficence of this divine influence which functions as the Holy Spirit of local universe bestowal upon the races of mankind. Human beings can also in some degree become conscious of the Adjuster, the impersonal presence of the Universal Father. These divine spirits that work for man’s uplifting and spiritualization all act in unison and in perfect co-operation. They are as one in the spiritual operation of the plans of mortal ascension and perfection attainment.
Part I. The Central Universe
Chapter 7: Section 3.
The Universal Manipulator
P101:1, 9:3.1 The Isle of Paradise is the source and substance of physical gravity; and that should be sufficient to inform you that gravity is one of the most real and eternally dependable things in the whole physical universe of universes. Gravity cannot be modified or annulled except by the forces and energies conjointly sponsored by the Father, which have been entrusted to, and are functionally associated with, the person of the Second Source and Center.
P101:2, 9:3.2 The Infinite Spirit possesses a unique and amazing power -- antigravity. This power is not functionally (observably) present in the Father. This ability to withstand the pull of material gravity, inherent in the Second Source, is revealed in the personal reactions of the Conjoint Actor to certain phases of universe relationships. And this unique attribute is transmissible to certain of the higher personalities of the Infinite Spirit.
P101:3, 9:3.3 Antigravity can annul gravity within a local frame; it does so by the exercise of equal force presence. It operates only with reference to material gravity, and it is not the action of mind. The gravity-resistant phenomenon of a gyroscope is a fair illustration of the effect of antigravity but of no value to illustrate the cause of antigravity.
P101:4, 9:3.4 Still further does the Conjoint Actor display powers which can transcend force and neutralize energy. Such powers operate by slowing down energy to the point of materialization and by other techniques unknown to you.
P101:5, 9:3.5 The Conjoint Creator is not energy nor the source of energy nor the destiny of energy; he is the manipulator of energy. The Conjoint Creator is action -- motion, change, modification, co-ordination, stabilization, and equilibrium. The energies subject to the direct or indirect control of Paradise are by nature responsive to the acts of the Second Source and Center and his manifold agencies.
P101:6, 9:3.6 The universe is permeated by the power-cont
rol creatures of the Second Source and Center: physical controllers, power directors, power centers, and other representatives of the God of Action who have to do with the regulation and stabilization of physical energies. These unique creatures of physical function all possess varying attributes of power control, such as antigravity, which they utilize in their efforts to establish the physical equilibrium of the matter and energies of the grand universe.
P101:7, 9:3.7 All these material activities of the God of Action appear to relate his function to the Isle of Paradise, and indeed the agencies of power are all regardful of, even dependent on, the absoluteness of the eternal Isle. But the Conjoint Actor does not act for, or in response to, Paradise. He acts, personally, for the Father. Paradise is not a person. The nonpersonal, impersonal, and otherwise not personal doings of the Second Source and Center are all volitional acts of the Conjoint Actor himself; they are not reflections, derivations, or repercussions of anything or anybody.
P101:8, 9:3.8 Paradise is the pattern of infinity; the God of Action is the activator of that pattern. Paradise is the material fulcrum of infinity; the agencies of the Second Source and Center are the levers of intelligence that motivate the material level and inject spontaneity into the mechanism of the physical creation.