In Acts 8, Saul was still persecuting the church in Jerusalem, and many believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Philip, one of the seven deacons, went to Samaria and preached the gospel, performing many miracles that convinced people to believe in Jesus. Simon the magician also believed and was baptized, although his motives were questioned. Peter and John visited the area and prayed for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. Philip then went on to preach and baptize an Ethiopian eunuch, and later continued to evangelize along the coast until he arrived in Caesarea.