Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 9:14

"and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name." — Acts 9:14 (ASV)

All that call on thy name.—Here again we have to trace the growth of a new terminology. The description of the disciples of the Lord Jesus as those who called upon or invoked His name had its origin in the words of Joel cited by Saint Peter (Acts 2:21), and afterwards by Saint Paul (Romans 10:13). It is used again in Acts 9:21, and afterwards in 1 Corinthians 1:2 and 2 Timothy 2:22.

It may be noted further:

1. that the same word is used of calling upon the Father (1 Peter 1:17), and of calling on Christ ;
2. and that this also, like the term “saints” discussed in the foregoing Note, passed from Ananias to Saint Paul.