As early as Acts 9, the Spirit was active in the lives of the early saints. The called out in Judea walked in the comfort of the Holy Spirit (9:31). In Antioch, the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (13:52). If, as we have shown from Acts 2:38b-39, the Holy Spirit is given as a gift, we are not surprised to find Paul explaining that grace was given to “each one.” Jesus Christ, the head of the body, causes the growth of the body by the “proper working of each individual part” (Ephesians 4:16). Every member of this spiritual organism has a function, according to the purpose and will of the Holy Spirit.
According to 1 Corinthians 12, Paul wishes to emphasize the unity of the body as each promotes the unity of the Spirit through the diversity of gifts. First, it is important to note that God has not given all gifts to one member but allots a certain proportion to each in the body as pleases Him (1 Cor. 12:11, 18). Adam Clark writes, “No member of the body of Christ is endowed with such perfection as to be able, without the assistance of others, to supply his own necessities”. Paul explains that there is a diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4). Being thus dependent on each other, they find it necessary to throw their individual gifts into the common stock. Such diversity tends to promote and strengthen the harmony of believers. When applied to the ekklesia, there is unity in diversity. When applied to an institution, it does not work well. Second, each is accountable to contribute to the needs of the body by using his gift to edify the body. Paul writes, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal” (1 Cor. 12:7).