"To persecute the church" means to harass, oppress, or subject the church or its followers to cruel treatment or unfair actions because of their religious beliefs. Full definition
Reading each reference, it is clear that Calvin treated it as apocalyptic literature, written for the comfort of the suffering, persecuted church in the first century and that he found in it notes of comfort for every age. (religion-online.org)
Local conservative politicians have criticised the local council for persecuting the church, reinforcing the bells historic position in the town. (premierchristianity.com)
CT has also compiled the most - read news blogs, persecuted church stories, politics stories, cover stories, and personal testimonies of 2016, as well as the top 10 discoveries of biblical archaeology. (christianitytoday.com)