The Ancient Witnesses

96 • The Ancient Witnesses: A Journey to Discover Our Sacred Roots

whom was our God speaking?” Mentor called on three Pre-Nicene witnesses to the lectern. Barnabas: God was speaking to His Son, “Let Us make man after Our image, and after Our likeness…” 18 Justin Martyr: In saying “Let us make,” God conversed with someone who was numerically distinct from Himself and a rational Being.…Later God said, “Behold Adam has become as one of us, to know good and evil.” In saying, “as one of us” Moses has declared there are a certain number of persons associated with one another… at least two.” 19 Irenaeus of Lyons: “With Him were always present the Word and Wisdom, the Son and the Spirit, by whom and in whom freely and spontaneously He made all things, to whom also He speaks, saying, “Let us make man after Our image and likeness.” 20 Apostolic Authority Mentor thanked the three Pre-Nicene witnesses who, he explained, were the first to recognize the dialogue between the members of the Holy Trinity concerning humanity’s creation. “Drawing on their testimony,” he continued, “our later witnesses have agreed that Genesis reveals the Trinity in collaboration at the creation—a conclusion which is at the heart of the Story of God as well as the doctrine of humanity. To open our discussion on the

18 Epistle of Barnabas , vi. (ANF 1, 140).

19 Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho LXII (ANF 2, 128).

20 Irenaeus, Against Heresies , IV.XX.1 (ANF 1:487-8).