^{1 Ref} Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,

^{2 Ref} even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,

^{3 Ref} it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;

^{4 Ref} that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.